Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as their interim boss. He is expected to be in charge up to the end of the current 2021/2022 football season.
The Red Devils as they are popularly called, have put another stopgap in place after parting with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who had been asked to step in at short notice himself back in December 2018.
Ole subsequently paid the price for the team’s inconsistency at Old Trafford, as he was relieved of his post after a 4-1 humiliation his team suffered in the hands of Watford on November 20, 2021. The ex-RB Leipzig coach, Rangnick has been asked to steady the ship until when a permanent manager will be appointed.
According to a statement from the club, Rangnick’s deal as manager will run for six months until the end of the season and he has been offered a two-year consultancy role beyond that, which was key in him making the decision to move to Old Trafford.
Sources say the 63-year-old German was not interested in taking the job when it was a short-term six-month role, nonetheless the offer to stay on and use his expertise to help those higher up the football structure after the season has ended, is something that appealed to him.
Work Visa Delays
It is still to be confirmed when Rangnick will be in the dugout for his first game as manager. United host Arsenal at Old Trafford on Thursday but the German is still awaiting his work visa and the process for obtaining that has become longer and more complicated since Brexit.
Should it not come through in time, his first official game in charge would be against Crystal Palace at the weekend.
Man United confirmed when announcing Rangnick that Michael Carrick, who has overseen Man Utd’s last two games after Solskjaer was sacked would remain in charge until the German is permitted to do so.
Rangnick, reacting to the announcement, expressed his excitement over his new journey.
“I am excited to be joining Manchester United and focused on making this a successful season for the club. The squad is full of talent and has a great balance of youth and experience. All my efforts for the next six months will be on helping these players fulfil their potential, both individually and, most importantly, as a team.
“Beyond that, I look forward to supporting the club’s longer-term goals on a consultancy basis.”
Rangnick
Rangnick is taking the reins for now, with United eighth in the Premier League and 12 points off the lead, a permanent manager is still being sought.
Rangnick’s Career and Experience
Rangnick has previously managed five clubs in the Bundesliga including Schalke and RB Leipzig.
It was with Schalke that he enjoyed the most success; finishing as runners-up in Germany’s top-flight in the 2004-05 season, while he claimed DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup glory in 2011.
In 2012, Rangnick became director of football for both RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg and played a significant role in helping the former rise from the fourth tier of German football to the Bundesliga.
Rangnick’s most recent position came at Russian Premier League side Lokomotiv Moscow, where he was appointed in July 2021.
Rangnick is a manager held in high regard by top coaches. Jurgen Klopp, Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel testified of the German tactician. It is expected that he will lift the spirit of the club and achieve results.
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