Ralf Rangnick

Ralf Rangnick, the Austrian who effectively invented the modern gegenpressing blueprint later adopted by Jürgen Klopp and Julian Nagelsmann, took charge of Austria in 2022 after spells at RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, and a brief, turbulent stint at Manchester United. He organises Austria in a compact 4-2-2-2 or 4-3-3, demanding high pressing triggers, aggressive ball recovery, and vertical transitions. Under him, Austria qualified for Euro 2024 and reached the round of sixteen — their best European Championship result in decades.

Rangnick sets Austria up in a 4-2-2-2, with Nicolas Seiwald and Xaver Schlager forming a disciplined double pivot that protects the back four and recycles possession quickly. The two tens — typically Christoph Baumgartner and Marcel Sabitzer — press aggressively in the half-space. Konrad Laimer can push into a more advanced role. David Alaba drives out from left-back to initiate build-up, giving Austria an extra passing option in the first phase.