Ralf Rangnick stunned supporters on Tuesday night time when he rode a motorbike throughout the pitch earlier than Austria’s World Cup qualifier in opposition to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The 67-year-old, who endured a turbulent six-month spell as Manchester United’s interim supervisor, was filmed pedalling onto the turf on the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica.
He first arrived on two wheels to conduct a pre-match interview with Austrian broadcaster ORF, earlier than biking once more at half-time on his strategy to the dressing room.
There was a transparent purpose, as Rangnick remains to be recovering from ankle surgical procedure after issues in the summertime and opted to journey as an alternative of hobbling, even joking afterwards: ‘The stroll would have been a bit far in any other case.’
In July, the German was pressured again into hospital when an preliminary operation grew to become contaminated, requiring additional remedy and a interval of cautious rehabilitation.
He later supplied reassurance by insisting he was ‘taking small steps’ and that his restoration was progressing, though he continues to restrict pressure on the ankle.
Ralf Rangnick stunned supporters on Tuesday night time when he rode a motorbike throughout the pitch earlier than Austria’s World Cup qualifier
Rangnick remains to be recovering from ankle surgical procedure after issues in the summertime and opted to journey as an alternative of hobbling
Rangnick has led Austria since 2022, guiding them to the last-16 at Euro 2024 after topping a gaggle containing France, the Netherlands and Poland.
This week’s uncommon entrance got here forward of one other essential conflict, with Austria chasing a primary World Cup look since 1998 and momentum already constructing behind the staff.
His facet delivered, with Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer heading in the right direction in a 2-1 victory, whereas Edin Dzeko briefly equalised for Bosnia.
Rangnick has 21 wins in 37 video games with Austria, having additionally managed Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig, Schalke, Stuttgart and Hannover, and he turned down Bayern Munich in 2024.
