Assistant Coach on Rangnick: "He Needs a Bit More Rest Now"

He is the closest football confidant of Ralf Rangnick. Due to the longer hospital stay of the ÖFB head coach, Lars Kornetka will move into the unfamiliar front row in the coming days. Rangnick's assistant coach will announce the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualification matches of the national team on Monday (2:00 PM) in Vienna. For the future, the 47-year-old German can imagine a role as head coach himself, as he confirmed in a conversation with the APA.

Kornetka Joined the ÖFB with Rangnick

For now, Kornetka's focus is on the preparations for the matches in Vienna against San Marino (October 9) and in Bucharest against Romania (October 12). "The common goal is to be at the World Cup and to play a very good role there," emphasized the assistant coach, who joined the ÖFB with Rangnick in May 2022. Since then, he has been the extended arm of the head coach. Should he also be absent from games, Kornetka would have to step into the leadership role. He has not prepared for the emergency situation. "Because we do not expect it. We are very confident that he will be there."

Rangnick has been in the University Clinic Murnau in Bavaria for over a week for the treatment of a persistent germ in his ankle. "My current knowledge is that everything went well and he is on a very good path," reported Kornetka, who is in daily contact with his boss. "He needs a bit more rest now, that's why I'm doing the squad press conference. He will be there for the training camp."

"Ralf and I Have Known Each Other for 18 Years"

Should everything turn out differently, according to Kornetka, it would not be a problem. "We have been together in this constellation for three years, Ralf and I have known each other for 18 years, so the processes are clear," assured the former sports journalist, whom Rangnick brought to Hoffenheim in 2007 as an unknown and made into a video analyst. They work with top professionals in the national team, who play at the best clubs in Europe, emphasized Kornetka. "Ralf is a totally important person for all of us because he is our leader. But if something should come up or something happens, then we all take on the responsibility. We support each other, that's how it works in a good family."

That he himself is moving more into the public focus does not cause Kornetka any headaches. "There is currently no delicate matter to moderate, but it is about facts. Therefore, I have no concerns at all." The assistant coach also sees himself as a kind of advisor for his colleagues, given his past, when it comes to preparing "a few sentences" for the media in delicate situations. "I'm actually quite adept at that."

Contact with Players

Much more time, however, is taken up by game observations. "We also communicate a lot with the players, call them," Kornetka explained. "We have a pretty good division within the coaching team to cover everything. Everyone has their connections to certain people, even in the clubs." In doing so, they are very unpretentious. "If Ralf says, do you have a moment to call David (Alaba), then I call David and send the information to my colleagues. There are no hierarchies."

Currently, the task is to find the right players for the upcoming qualification double. "The squad list already exists, but unfortunately, we still have to cut a few guys and also keep an eye on possible absences," Kornetka explained. Basically, there are always "four or five positions" that can be discussed. "We have a core group of players because they are the best that Austria has. Then the question is where certain players currently stand in terms of performance and what added value they could bring us in the upcoming games."

Head Coach Position Not Excluded

After the squad announcement, Kornetka will travel directly to Germany to complete a three-day module in the UEFA Pro License course, which he wants to finish this year - the basis for a future role as a head coach in professional football, which he can envision. "That is something that has matured in me. I have now acquired the skills for it, which I didn't have a few years ago."

Kornetka's contract with the ÖFB runs like Rangnick's until the World Cup next summer in North America, if the qualification is successful. What happens after that is open. "Currently, I'm not wasting any thoughts on it," said Kornetka. "I have really enjoyed being in the second row and working in the background." He has learned a lot and worked with great head coaches - from Pep Guardiola to Roger Schmidt.

"You Can Tell Each Other Things"

The key person in his career so far is the 20 years older Rangnick, with whom he once ran a joint consulting agency in his hometown of Düsseldorf. The relationship is characterized by trust and honesty, Kornetka explained. "You can tell each other things and also have controversial discussions, which is totally important in football. Especially someone like Ralf, I think, needs people around him who also tell him how they see things." The team leader insists on that. "He doesn't want yes-men, he wants to be inspired."

According to Kornetka, what sets Rangnick apart is that after a success, he always focuses on the next step. "As a result, there is no stagnation, I can share that 100 percent with him." Rangnick and he can honestly and openly express their opinions to each other. "This also leads to discussions, which then lead to something good again. That's how it works in a good relationship."

(APA/Red)

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