BERLIN – Austria coach Ralf Rangnick has revealed that “there has been contact” between himself and Bayern Munich to become the club’s new coach in the summer.

But the former Manchester United interim manager would not be drawn on whether he would take up the offer, especially with Euro 2024 looming.

“I’ve also informed the Austrian FA about it. We have a very trusting relationship,” he said in an interview with Austrian outlet 90 Minutes published on April 24.

Bayern are trying to replace outgoing coach Thomas Tuchel after they agreed to part ways in February.

German media reported that the club attempted to poach Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso and Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who previously helmed Bayern, but were rebuffed as both decided to stick with their current jobs.

Rangnick did not reveal how he felt about the prestigious Bayern job, saying he was instead “focused” on coaching Austria at this summer’s European Championship in Germany.

“We are completely concentrating on the European Championship. I feel very comfortable here. At the moment, there is no reason to deal with (the interest from Munich) intensively and specifically,” he said.

Pressed on whether he could consider taking the Bayern job in the future, Rangnick simply said he would only deal with that if and when the club made him an offer.

“If Bayern said ‘we want you’, I would have to ask myself if I even want that,” the 65-year-old added.

“For me, it’s about other things – Can I make a difference? Is there a chance of developing a team and being successful? That’s what drives me.”

Nicknamed the “Godfather of gegenpressing”, Rangnick has been one of the most influential figures in recent German football history, both as a coach and sporting director.

In addition to his six-month stint managing the Red Devils, he has coached a number of clubs in Germany, including Hannover 96, Schalke 04, TSG Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Ulm, taking the latter to their first Bundesliga promotion.

Bayern, who had won the previous 11 league titles, missed out on this season’s Bundesliga trophy with Leverkusen securing their maiden league crown five matches before the end of the season.

The German giants are, however, through to the Champions League semi-finals and will face Real Madrid.

Tuchel, who had taken over at Bayern just over a year ago, is leaving a year before his contract ends.

Under him, Bayern had a disappointing domestic campaign that also saw them eliminated from the German Cup by third-tier Saarbrucken. REUTERS, AFP