Austria manager Ralf Rangnick reacts to Max Wober transfer news at Leeds United

Dan is a sports journalist who graduated from the University of Gloucestershire with a first-class degree in Sports Journalism. Dan has a huge love for football and has spent time inside newsrooms throughout his time at university. Away from his laptop, he enjoys playing Sunday League football, or watching whatever football, cricket or whatever sport he can find.

Published on:

01 Aug 2023, 10:10 am

Austria and former Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick has backed Max Wober's decision to leave Leeds United on loan this summer, in an interview with Laola1.

Speaking with the Austrian outlet, Rangnick offered his opinion after Wober departed Elland Road only months after joining the Whites from RB Salzburg in January, joining Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach on loan for the upcoming season.

The Austrian defender has claimed that his U-turn having committed to joining Leeds in the Championship this season has come in hopes of reaching the European Championships next summer in a statement on Instagram.

Discussing both Wober and Marcel Sabitzer’s Bundesliga moves, Rangnick saw the moves as a positive saying: “I think it's a good thing for both of them. I see great opportunities for both of them to play there.

"Leeds wanted to keep him and return to the Premier League with him. But he decided to move to Gladbach."

Not enough

Leeds fans haven’t hidden their frustrations with Wober’s late U-turn this summer and reports suggest the players are just as irritated by the decision of the Austrian so close to the start of the Championship season.

While it is fair that a player will take his international career into account when making decisions in their club career, it seems slightly ridiculous to do it days before the first game of a campaign, especially having suggested you would remain with the club.

Rangnick’s comments suggest that the decision was entirely down to the player this summer and it doesn’t seem like the Austrian boss would’ve have dissuaded him from making the move, maybe one last extra dagger between Manchester United and Leeds relations.

It will be interesting to see if Wober manages to make Rangnick’s squad next summer for the European Championships and whether if Leeds do return to the Premier League, he returns to Elland Road with his tail between his legs.

In other Leeds United, three players have been ruled out for the season opener against Cardiff City

Leeds United

Maximilian Wober