Ralf Rangnick will soon be training for Cristiano Ronaldo. The former coach of RB Leipzig, Schalke 04 and Hannover 96 is reported to be interim coach at Manchester United. The 63-year-old is said to be signing a contract with the English football record champions until the end of the season and then supporting the club as a consultant. “There’s something to the story,” said a Rangnicks advisor on Thursday at the request of the German Press Agency.
The online magazine „The Athletic“ had first reported that Man United had come to an agreement with the renowned German football teacher. An agreement with Rangnick’s previous employer Lokomotiv Moscow, with whom he is under contract as sports director, was still pending. The newspaper “Daily Mail” had previously named Rangnick as a possible candidate for the vacant coaching position in Manchester.
Man United separated from coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday after a 4-1 disgrace at relegation candidate Watford FC. The Norwegian’s disappointing season record: five wins from twelve games and one negative goal difference. Born in Swabia, Rangnick should quickly get back on the road to success in the Premier League’s eighth table and, if possible, lead to title wins before – so the club bosses hope – Mauricio Pochettino, who is currently under contract with Paris Saint-Germain, will take over.
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Rangnick had already held talks with the Red Devils in 2019, when it was about the position of sports director at Old Trafford. In the past his name was mentioned repeatedly in connection with English clubs and even the national team. Although he has never worked in the Premier League, the 63-year-old is held in high regard on the island. “The Athletic” referred to Rangnick as “the godfather of modern football coaching in Germany”.
With his offensive game philosophy, Rangnick, who was nicknamed “Football Professor” after appearing in the “Sportschau”, led SSV Ulm and Hannover 96 into the Bundesliga, among others. With TSG Hoffenheim, he managed to march straight through from third to the first division, where TSG immediately became autumn champions.
At RB Leipzig, as a sports director and at times as a coach, he was responsible for the rapid development from regional league to Champions League participant. As coach of FC Schalke 04, Ralf Rangnick won the DFB Cup in 2011.
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Record champions Man United were unable to win a championship after long-time coach Sir Alex Ferguson retired in the summer of 2013. Apart from one FA Cup win and the Europa League win, the team has not won a major trophy since then. Man United are twelve points behind leaders Chelsea and are qualified for the round of 16 of the Champions League.
That Rangnick will sit on the bench at short notice next Sunday for the away game in London against Chelsea is considered rather unlikely due to the necessary work permit. As in the Champions League away win against Villareal (2-0) on Tuesday, Michael Carrick will look after the team. (dpa)
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