Ex-Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick taken to hospital as Austrian FA issue statement

Former Manchester United and RB Leipzig manager Ralf Rangnick has been taken to hospital for the second time in as many days after a wound became 'seriously inflamed' following routine surgery.

The 67-year-old German, who currently manages Austria's national team, recently underwent ankle surgery at a clinic in Salzburg.

It was a procedure that went smoothly and Rangnick was discharged shortly after, according to BILD, but complications arose just days later, when the wound became seriously inflamed.

Rangnick has now been rushed to hospital for emergency surgery, report The Sun, who claim the manager hopes to return home on Friday.

The Austrian Football Association, meanwhile, is confident that Rangnick will return to the touchline for upcoming World Cup qualifiers. They face Cyprus on July 6 before travelling to the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica to play Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 9.

Thomas Trukesitz, a spokesman at the Austrian FA, gave a brief update on the situation. He said: "Ralf Rangnick is doing well. Nobody needs to have any concerns about his health."

Rangnick, who was appointed as Manchester United's interim manager in November 2021 following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, endured a difficult six-month spell at Old Trafford.

He was set to take up a consultancy role at the end of the 2021/22 campaign but it was mutually agreed that Rangnick would focus solely on his role as the manager of Austria's national team.

Towards the end of last term, the German was on punditry duty for the Europa League semi-final clash between United and Athletic Bilbao when he was asked to sum up what he believed to be the main issues currently at the club.

Speaking to Canal+ Austria ahead of kick-off, he said: "They have signed a coach in the middle of the season who plays with a three or a five-back, and the squad was built based on a four-back system.

"This is what you see when you see them play, especially in Premier League games against the opponents against which Manchester United normally has to win."

Former Man Utd manager Ralf Rangnick pictured. Image credit: Getty

He added: "Sure, in the Europa League, they have - usually with the result against Lyon, you are eliminated - they have turned it around. And of course, the stadium had a huge effect."