Ralf Rangnick rules out joining Bayern Munich

As things stand, there is no clear favourite to become the next head coach of Bayern Munich. The Bavarian club missed out on their top target as Xabi Alonso decided to stay at Bayer Leverkusen. Max Eberl has held talks with other coaches, but they are far from making a final decision.

After Xabi Alonso announced his decision to stay at Leverkusen, the Austrian national team’s head coach, Ralf Rangnick, was linked with a move to Bayern. Rangnick has a wealth of experience in the Bundesliga, as he enjoyed good spells at RB Leipzig, Hoffenheim, and Schalke.

Bayern reportedly discussed Rangnick as an option to succeed Tuchel at the end of the season. However, the former RB Leipzig head coach was not at the top of the club’s shortlist. It remains to be seen if Die Roten held preliminary talks with Rangnick.

While Bayern are holding talks with other candidates, Rangnick has poured cold water on the reports linking him with a move to Munich. In an interview with Sport1, Rangnick insisted that there have been no talks with Bayern. He is focused on his role with Austria and plans to continue in the position beyond Euros in the summer.

""No. Why should I? (talks with Bayern) I feel comfortable here. My contract runs until 2026 and our goal and our path will continue after the Euros.""

- Ralf Rangnick

The comments from Rangnick effectively rule him out from the running for the head coach position at Bayern. Rangnick has been one of the most influential coaches in the Bundesliga. However, it made no sense for Bayern to appoint him as their next head coach. He has not consistently coached at the club level for a long time. His interim stint at Manchester United was poor. Moreover, Rangnick has excelled as an executive at the club level in the past few seasons.

After Rangnick’s comments, Roberto De Zerbi and Julian Nagelsmann are the top two candidates for Bayern’s head coach position. Eberl has reportedly held talks with representatives of both coaches in the past few weeks.

De Zerbi has a release clause in his contract at Brighton. Meanwhile, Nagelsmann’s contract with the German national team expires after the Euros. Eberl is aiming to have a deal in place for a new head coach by the end of April, so a breakthrough in the search will come sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel will look to salvage Bayern’s season later tonight when they face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. With the Bundesliga title out of Die Roten’s hands, the Champions League title is the only way Tuchel can end his time in Munich on a good note.