What happened: Ralf Rangnick has officially extended his contract with the Austrian Football Federation (ÖFB) through late 2027. The agreement follows Rangnick’s decision to reject a formal proposal from AC Milan to become the club’s Technical Director.

Why it matters: Rangnick cited a lack of professional clarity and sporting autonomy as the primary reasons for his decision to stay with the national team. His commitment provides critical stability for a squad recently impacted by the injury of Christoph Baumgartner as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup.

What to watch: Rangnick will now focus exclusively on Austria's World Cup group stage preparations following the resolution of his coaching future.