by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Austrian national coach Ralf Rangnick added a lighthearted twist to World Cup qualifying on Tuesday, using an e-bike to shuttle between the bench, locker room and interview areas during Austria's 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Recovering from ankle surgery, the 67-year-old found cycling the easiest way to cover the distance, drawing smiles from fans as he pedaled across the pitch.
As it happened, Rangnick had signed a sponsorship deal with a bike manufacturer just weeks earlier. "Otherwise, the distance would have been too far or too time-consuming," the former Leipzig and Hoffenheim coach joked as he arrived for a TV interview, eyes twinkling.
Rangnick underwent an emergency procedure in July after complications from an earlier operation. "Things are progressing with the ankle, but there's still a way to go. That's why the bike," he explained.
Austria's victory marked its fourth in the qualifiers, strengthening hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico -- their first since 1998.
"It's our desired goal to get to the World Cup after this long time. And sometimes it takes unprecedented actions to make it," Rangnick said with a smile.
Looking ahead, he added that he hopes to be walking again on the touchline soon: "when this gets better regarding my foot." ■
