The Australian Football Association has denied a meeting took place between its sporting director and Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
Reports on the continent earlier this week claimed Rangnick had been approached by Peter Schottel with a view to becoming Austria manager. Vienna-based outlet Kurier reported Schottel flew into Manchester on a private jet on Monday amid growing speculation the United interim is losing his responsibility at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are in the process of appointing their next permanent manager and Erik ten Hag is expected to be unveiled at the end of the season. While Rangnick is due to move behind the scenes to begin a two-year consultancy role, the reports from Austria cast doubt over his future with the club.
However, the Austrian FA released a brief statement on social media on Wednesday refuting suggestions it had met with Rangnick, posting on Twitter : "Clarification: There was no meeting between OFB sports director Peter Schottel and Ralf Rangnick, coach of @ManUtd."
Austrian football chiefs are on the lookout for a new manager after Franco Foda resigned from the role in March following the World Cup play-off defeat by Wales. Gareth Bale scored twice in a 2-1 victory for the Dragons to send them through to the final qualifying round, where they will face Scotland or Ukraine.
Foda announced he was stepping down midway through his press conference ahead of a friendly against Scotland. The German said: "I've been thinking a lot over the past few days. I finally made my decision yesterday evening.
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"It was still rumoured that I might have had the option of extending my contract. But that didn't matter to me anymore, because I took responsibility for [the loss to Wales]. It was a great honour for me to coach and work with this team. It was four and a half great years.
"My successor can look forward to a team with impeccable character that is good and has a lot of potential for development." Foda drew his final game in charge of Austria 2-2 as substitutes Michael Gregoritsch and Alessandro Schopf cancelled out goals from Scotland's Jack Hendry and John McGinn.
Foda led Austria to the last 16 at Euro 2020 after victories over Ukraine and North Macedonia in the group stage. In their knockout fixture, they took Italy - the eventual tournament winners - to extra-time, where Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina sent the Azzurri through despite a late consolation goal from Sasa Kalajdzic.
