Ex-Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick 'needs further hospital treatment' after surgery

Ralf Rangnick is being treated in hospital and in need of further treatment after contracting an infection following ankle surgeries, say reports in Germany.

The former Manchester United interim manager, 67, has undergone multiple surgeries on his ankle in recent months. And the Austria national team has now contracted a 'hospital-acquired germ' after his latest surgery in Murnau, Bavaria, last week.

Complications from ankle surgery and the subsequent infection means Rangnick will now remain in hospital for an extended period. He initially underwent ankle surgery in June but was forced to undergo an emergency operation due to complications in July. His ankle issues saw him undergo another operation last week, with Bild saying Rangnick's infection is the 'serious reason' behind his extended stay in hospital.

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Johannes Gabel, an ankle specialist who has worked with some of Germany's top stars including Manuel Neuer and Jamal Musiala, will oversee Rangnick's further treatment.

Rangnick's situation means he has been forced to pull out of the upcoming Austria squad announcement on September 29 ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Romania next month.

He is expected, though, to be back on the touchline for those games. Rangnick's assistant, Lars Kornetka, will now announce the squad for those games.

Rangnick had a brief stint as United's manager between December 2021 and May 2022 after the club decided to part company with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, winning 11 of the 29 matches he oversaw before the Red Devils appointed Erik ten Hag.

Rangnick had initially signed up to take on a consultancy role at the club following his spell in the dugout. However, it was decided he would leave Old Trafford shortly after agreeing a two-year contract to become the new head coach of the Austria national team.

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