Vienna (AP) – Former English soccer star defender Gary Neville is critical of Ralf Rangnick’s future dual role as national coach of Austria and adviser to Manchester United.
“The Manchester United sporting director or agent can really look at Austrian players week in and week out? And then pick them for the national team?” Neville asked on his Sky Sports podcast.
There is a conflict, said the former Man United professional: “The Austrian national team has pride, a great country and some great players, so he has to watch players all week, then he will see them in September, October, November and March practice for two weeks. Then what happens with his work for United? Where’s the priority?”
Rangnick got a two-year contract from the Austrian association, the goal is the EM 2024 in Germany. If the qualification succeeds, the contract of the 63-year-old former Bundesliga coach will be automatically extended until the 2026 World Cup. Rangnick, who is currently acting as an interim coach at United, will start working at the ÖFB in May. In future he will be available for six days a month in Manchester.
Neville described the constellation as “chaotic” and referred to the major sporting problems of the English record champions.