Rangnick on Milan: “Something extraordinary has happened.” Will he become sporting director?
Ralf Rangnick has fueled speculation about a possible move to AC Milan after an event held by his foundation, where he addressed questions about his future one day after meeting Gerry Cardinale and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Austria national team coach did not directly confirm the reported talks, but he also did not deny them. Instead, he said that “probably everyone noticed that something extraordinary happened at Milan last weekend,” a remark that left room for interpretation without revealing any details.
His most direct comment concerned his current employment situation. Rangnick said that the only point of contact for contract matters remains the Austrian Football Association. That statement is significant because his contract with Austria expires in the summer, after the World Cup, and the federation’s intention is to renew it. Officials are reportedly not only aiming to extend his deal but also to increase his salary. Rangnick currently earns around €1 million net per season, which is lower than what he would reportedly earn at Milan.
The Austrian federation has been working for some time to persuade sponsors to help cover part of his salary, with the goal of raising his annual compensation to €2 million. The approach would be similar to the arrangement used by the Italian Football Federation for Antonio Conte, with Puma contributing to the deal.
Rangnick’s status in Austria remains very strong. He led the national team to qualification for Euro 2024 and guided them to the top of their group in Germany ahead of France and the Netherlands, before Austria were eliminated by Turkey in the round of 16. Over the past two years, he has also helped restore Austria to the World Cup after a 28-year absence.
The team will compete in the United States at the tournament, where Austria have been drawn against Jordan, Argentina and Algeria. Two of their matches will be played in prime time, while one will kick off at midnight, a schedule that may suit Milan supporters if Rangnick were to become involved with the Italian club, allowing them to watch without losing too much sleep.
What stands out most from Rangnick’s remarks is not what he said outright, but what he left unsaid. He did not deny the Vienna meeting, and he did not close the door on Milan. Given that he is only 20 days away from Austria’s first World Cup match, a clear rejection would have been easy to deliver. Instead, his comments suggest that the situation remains open, while Austria continue to push for a contract renewal and Milan monitor the possibility of bringing him in.
