Thursday, November 25, 2021
Ronaldo’s new coach
Rangnick will probably take over Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo apparently has a German coach from now on, at least temporarily: According to media reports, Ralf Rangnick is supposed to lead the stumbled Premier League club Manchester United out of the crisis. Most recently, the former Bundesliga coach worked for Lok Moscow.
Ralf Rangnick was already considered to be a candidate for the coaching post at Premier League club Manchester United around the dismissal of Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer, now they have apparently agreed on a commitment. According to information from the portal “The Athletic”, Rangnick, who had coached SSV Ulm, Schalke 04, TSG Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, will take up office until next summer and then work as a consultant for the club.
Solskjaer was sacked at the weekend after an embarrassing 4-1 at relegation candidate Watford. Currently, the formerly most valuable club in the world is only eighth in the Premier League and is miles away from its own claims despite top-class additions such as superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho, who signed up for 85 million euros from Dortmund.
Now Rangnick should at least operate damage limitation this year and secure the renewed qualification for the Champions League. The “Daily Mail” had already reported yesterday that Manchester United is initially aiming for an interim solution for the successor to Solskjaer by the end of the season. The name of the former Borussia Dortmund coach, Lucien Favre, is also said to have been on the list of candidates. But now Rangnick, who was most recently under contract as head of sport at the Russian first division club Lok Moscow, made the race. According to the report by “The Athletic”, the 63-year-old should want to give up this position for his new commitment. However, the Russian club has not yet approved the release.
At the weekend, Rangnick should not be responsible for the team: Due to the German’s lack of a work permit, Michael Carrick will be on the sidelines for the second and, for the time being, last time as boss on Sunday against Chelsea. The ex-player also looked after the “Red Devils” in the Champions League on Tuesday. The tough 2-0 win in Villarreal meant the place in the round of 16.
The Argentine Mauricio Pochettino, who is currently under contract with Paris Saint-Germain, is the favorite for a longer engagement. As reported in the English media, the club’s management plans to sign the former Tottenham Hotspurs coach from summer 2022.