11 September 2023 , 10:17
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Former Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has emerged as a surprise contender to become the next manager of the Germany national team.
Hansi Flick was already under intense pressure after overseeing an underwhelming World Cup campaign and was sacked on Sunday - less than 24 hours after a chastening 4-1 defeat against Japan.
The German FA are expected to begin searching for Flick's successor imminently and a host of high-profile names have already been touted for the role. And despite his disastrous stint at Old Trafford, Rangnick is understood to be one name who is under consideration for the vacant position.
The Independent claim that Rangnick is one candidate who has 'mentioned' in relation to the job. Former Eintracht Frankfurt chief Oliver Glasner is another person who is in the frame to succeed Flick, who won just 12 of his 25 matches at the helm.
Rangnick is currently the head coach of the Austrian national team; a role he took up just before leaving Manchester United ahead of the arrival of Erik ten Hag.
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However, that didn't prevent the 65-year-old from subtly touting himself for a Premier League return earlier this summer. After tipping Julian Nagelsmann as a perfect candidate for the vacancy at Tottenham, Rangnick implied that the former Bayern Munich chief would need a sporting director - such as himself - to succeed.
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Ralf Rangnick has emerged as a contender to succeed Hansi Flick as Germany manager (Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA)Speaking back in April, Rangnick told Sky Sports: “If Tottenham really want [Nagelsmann], then I think it would be important if a sporting director was still there to stand by him.”
Rangnick added: “This can be a very, very exciting story. There’s room for improvement, a lot of room for improvement, and yet it’s not a club where you expect to finish in the top one, two or three right away.”
Spurs brutally ignored that hint, though, and instead pressed ahead with plans to prise Ange Postecoglou from Celtic: a decision that is already starting to pay dividends.
The Australian has quickly implemented the type of swashbuckling, attacking football that Tottenham fans have craved and has already bagged a statement 2-0 win over United.
Rangnick, meanwhile, has Austria on track to qualify for Euro 2024 after guiding the team to three wins and one draw in Group F so far, putting them joint-top with Sweden. The two unbeaten sides will meet in Stockholm on Tuesday night as the European Championship qualifying campaign continues.