Amid rumours of interest from Merseyside, the highly-rated coach has signed a two-year contract extension with the Bundesliga side

Article continues below

sporting director Ralf Rangnick has extended his contract until 2021, the club have announced.

Rangnick has been instrumental in Leipzig's rise to prominence in recent seasons, having joined the club in 2012.

Everton 13/10 to beat West Ham

Although his contract had not been set to expire until 2019, former and head coach Rangnick had been linked with the vacant managerial position at Premier League strugglers , where he had an interview in 2013 before Roberto Martinez took charge.

Article continues below

Nevertheless, Leipzig have now moved to secure the future of the 59-year-old, who briefly took over as the club's coach during the 2015-16 campaign before employing current boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.

#RBL director of football Oliver #Mintzlaff: "We're very happy to extend Ralf #Rangnick's contract. He's the motor of this club and will be key in our ongoing development." #DieRotenBullen pic.twitter.com/N672AAxI5g — RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) November 26, 2017

"I am glad that my future lies in this great club, which has made a fantastic development and whose path, in my view, is far from over," Rangnick told Leipzig's website.

Show Player

"After exciting years of development, we have established ourselves in the Bundesliga and play a good role in our first international participation.

"The decision to extend my contract prematurely is also a commitment to this beautiful city, in which I feel very comfortable."

Leipzig currently sit second in the Bundesliga, three points behind , and still stand a chance of progressing to the knockout stages.