Rangnick is considered a consistent worker and uncompromising advocate of his path. “Everyone must be aware that a coach Rangnick brings change. We have the potential with the players that we have a real chance to change something,” said Milletich at a press conference in Salzburg as a guest of Sports Media Austria, the association of Austrian sports journalists.
According to the ÖFB President, money was not the decisive criterion for Rangnick. Milletich put the ÖFB’s financial possibilities at 1:10 compared to English Premier League clubs. Rather, Rangnick stimulated the potential that he apparently sees in Alaba and Co. to be successful at “his” home European Championship 2024 in Germany. In any case, the 63-year-old sets the bar high, Milletich said. “Qualifying for the Euro is not an issue for him at all, he wants to stir things up in Germany at the Euro.”
Christoph Freund as middleman
When ÖFB sports director Peter Schöttel traveled to England, he had not yet come into contact with Rangnick, as was rumored. The fact that the ÖFB nevertheless dared to approach the German experts despite the limited financial resources is largely due to Christoph Freund. The current sports director of champions Red Bull Salzburg, for whom Rangnick paved the way to success as sports director from 2012 to 2015, saw opportunities.
“14 days before the decision was made, there was an appointment at the presidium to check who was eligible. One of the names was Rangnick. I said that normally we won’t be able to hire someone who works at Manchester United and whose salary is reasonable. I was encouraged by Christoph Freund that it can work. About Freund it was communicated what our options are. I was a bit incredulous, but intense discussions ensued,” Milletich said.
Rangnick will start his job at ÖFB on May 29th preparing for the Nations League. With games against world champion France, vice world champion Croatia and Denmark, with which the ÖFB team has not had good experiences recently, there are equally difficult tasks ahead. “Four difficult top games, that will be very challenging, also for the team boss. It is important to use this phase so that the new team boss gets to know the team. After the four games he will know how the team is doing,” said Milletich.
