Man Utd appoint Ralf Rangnick as interim manager
Stefan Bienkowski
- 29 Nov 2021 11:36 GMT
- 4 min read
Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as the club’s interim manager for the remainder of the season.
In an announcement on the club's website on Monday, Man Utd confirmed that the German tactician would take over with immediate effect, subject to work visa requirements.
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The German tactician joins the Old Trafford side on a short-term management deal but will then remain at the club on a consultancy basis to help run the sporting department for an initial two years.
“I am excited to be joining Manchester United and focused on making this a successful season for the club," said Rangnick.
“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.”
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.
- New Man Utd interim manager Ralf RangnickMan Utd have been in need of a new manager since the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was dismissed on 21 November after a string of poor performances culminated in a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Watford in the Premier League.
Rangnick has reportedly been on Man Utd’s radar for some time now and was sounded out after departing Red Bull last year. Despite signing a three-year deal to run Lokomotiv Moscow’s sporting department in July of this year, Rangnick was released from his contract with the Russian club and allowed to make the move to England.
The 63-year-old previously rejected an offer to become Chelsea’s interim manager in January of this year, but is believed to have been enticed to Man Utd by the opportunity to become the club’s de-facto sporting director at the end of the season.
John Murtough, Manchester United football director, added: “Ralf is one of the most respected coaches and innovators in European football.
"He was our number one candidate for interim manager, reflecting the invaluable leadership and technical skills he will bring from almost four decades of experience in management and coaching.
“Everyone at the club is looking forward to working with him during the season ahead, and then for a further two years in his advisory role.”
Solskjaer sacked
Solskjaer was sacked eight days ago after a disastrous run of form that saw Man Utd plummet to eighth in the Premier League, 12 points off the top of the table and six points off the Champions League places.
United had won just three of their previous 11 games under Solskjaer, suffering heavy losses to Liverpool (0-5), Man City (0-2) and Watford (1-4).
The 4-1 thumping at the hands of newly-promoted Watford at Vicarage Road proved to be the final straw for the Man Utd board.
Solskjaer was heavily backed this summer in the transfer market, with Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo signed at big expense.
But the Norwegian ultimately fell well below expectations and failed to win a trophy during almost three years at the club.
Michael Carrick managed the team for two games following Solskjaer's sacking, overseeing a 2-0 win over Villarreal in the Champions League and a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Premier League.
