- Rangnick threatens Austria resignation
- كأس العالم qualification is key
- OFB chasing first finals since 1998
Rangnick has made it clear that he will resign as Austria head coach if his side fail to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The ex-مانشستر يونايتد boss has overseen a flawless start to qualifying, with his side winning their first three games in Group H. However, Bosnia and Herzegovina currently top the table after four victories, setting up a crucial clash between the two sides in Zenica. Austria are bidding to end a World Cup drought that stretches back to 1998, and victory with a two-goal margin on Tuesday would see them leapfrog their rivals into first place.
The 67-year-old has been in charge of Austria since 2022, bringing structure and discipline to a team that have long underachieved on the international stage. His contract runs only as long as Unsere Burschen remain in contention for a World Cup place, and his stance underlines the high stakes of this campaign. With stars such as David Alaba and Marcel Sabitzer leading the charge, Austria have a golden opportunity to return to the global stage. Failure, however, would not only end their hopes but also force the federation to search for a new coach at a pivotal moment.
“If he can’t do it, he won’t continue. He has made that clear,” Austrian FA chairman Josef Proll told APA news agency.
“Otherwise, there will be a contract until the World Cup, and we will discuss it at the appropriate time. Now the full focus is on the successes of the coming weeks to finally achieve this goal.”
A two-goal victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina would not only take Austria top of the group but also secure a historic four wins from four at the start of World Cup qualification. Rangnick himself underlined the stakes, admitting: “This will be an important game; in a way, it’s a six-point game. With a win, we can take a giant step.” The result could go a long way in shaping both Austria’s World Cup hopes and the coach’s future in charge.
