What does Ralf Rangnick think of Erik ten Hag?
Martin Macdonald
- 8 Apr 2022 09:59 CDT
- 3 min read
Ralf Rangnick has described Manchester United managerial candidate Erik ten Hag as a "top manager".
Following the failed tenure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Rangnick was appointed by Man Utd on a temporary basis until the end of the current season.
At the conclusion of the 2021/22 campaign, he will undertake an advisory role with the club, focusing on youth development as well as recruitment.
Over the last couple of months, Man Utd have been evaluating candidates for the manager's position.
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Mauricio Pochettino was the front-runner previously, but his stock has fallen since Paris Saint-Germain's premature elimination in the Champions League last-16 stage at the hands of Real Madrid.
Ten Hag was then interviewed and it now seems like a foregone conclusion that the Dutchman will be appointed.
When asked directly about Ten Hag, Rangnick was initially hesitant to discuss him by name.
"This is the press conference for tomorrow’s game and I don’t intend to speak about any possible new managers here," Rangnick said ahead of Man Utd's game against Everton.
"From what I know, all the managers the club has spoken to so far are top managers, top coaches and this is true of Erik ten Hag. That's all I can say at this stage. For me it's about preparing the team for tomorrow's game and hopefully three points tomorrow.
"I know with which coaches they have spoken to so far, they are all top coaches, but again my focus is on tomorrow, the game tomorrow and the upcoming games after tomorrow's game."
What is Rangnick's future?
Reports emerged at the beginning of the week that Rangnick had been approached by the Austrian FA about potentially becoming the head coach of the national team.
These reports were soon denied by the Austrian FA.
Indeed, Rangnick has now confirmed that talks are underway over his role at Old Trafford next season.
"We have agreed upon a contract as an adviser and we will speak about that in the next couple of weeks, I'm pretty sure," he explained.
"At the latest, at the end of the season, but right now my full focus is on tomorrow."
