Man United have finally identified their next interim manager and as per The Athletic, it’s going to be Ralf Rangnick.
In the past few days, Man United were being linked with PSG Mauricio Pochettino for the permanent role but it looks like those talks have stalled which is why the Red Devils have swiftly moved towards Rangnick.
As per the exclusive report, Man United have reached an agreement with the 63-year-old and now it’s up to Lokomotiv Moscow to release him from his contract. Ralf Rangnick is currently head of sports and development at Lokomotiv.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein wrote on Twitter: “Man Utd reach agreement with Ralf Rangnick to become interim manager. 6mnth contract then 2yr consultancy. Deal subject to Lokomotiv Moscow approval.”
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd reach agreement with Ralf Rangnick to become interim manager. 6mnth contract then 2yr consultancy. Deal subject to Lokomotiv Moscow approval. Work permit process prevents 63yo leading #MUFC v Chelsea. W/ @lauriewhitwell @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/wjQyiRzfeE
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) November 25, 2021
Who is Ralf Rangnick?
The 63-year-old might not be a known face in England but he’s a very popular figure in the German football scene. He began his coaching career at the age of 25 and over the years he’s managed teams like Schalke, Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig.
He has inspired managers such as Thomas Tuchel, Nagelsmann and Jurgen Klopp which is why he has been aptly nicknamed “The Professor”.
Style of football?
Jurgen Klopp has revolutionized football with “Heavy Metal Football” and Gegenpressing but it’s actually Ralf Rangnick who is credited as the first manager who had sown the seeds of such a systematic pressing style.
He’s the one who had introduced German football to the art of pressing high up the field and winning the ball. And then managers like Klopp and Tuchel used this same blueprint and took it to another level.
The Godfather of Gegenpressing. The Professor. The TRUTH.
Ralf Rangnick to Manchester United, Let’s Dance🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/NYvy1rqoOV
— Lyés (@WholeLottaLyes) November 25, 2021
Man United looked all over the place under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season which is why Ralf Rangnick could be the perfect man to drill in some discipline amongst the players and offer a precise and structural plan.
Trophies won:
Unfortunately, Ralf Rangnick has not won too many major trophies in his career and perhaps his biggest achievement was winning the DFB-Pokal with Schalke back in 2010-11.
He’s finished the runners-up in the same competition with Leipzig in 2019 and was the Bundesliga runners-up back in 2004-05 with Schalke.
The 63-year-old might not be the ideal guy to bring in major trophies at Man United but he’s arriving as the interim manager so it’s definitely worth the gamble.
Will Ralf Rangnick sit in the dugout for the Chelsea vs Man United game?
The deal will only be finalized when Lokomotiv Moscow decide to release him from his current contract but the Atheltic have made it clear that work permit issues will prevent him from taking charge of the Chelsea vs Man United game.
If everything goes well then Ralf Rangnick will introduce himself to the Old Trafford crowd during the Man United vs Arsenal game.
Here’s Ralf Rangnick talking about Jurgen Klopp’s football philosophy at Liverpool:
