Manchester United have finally announced Ralf Rangnick as a caretaker manager until the end of the season. The 63 year old German had reportedly rejected a similar offer from Chelsea earlier this year before his compatriot Thomas Tuchel took over. However, the X factor in the Manchester United deal was the opportunity to direct the club, from a technical perspective for an extra two years.
Ralf Rangnick may not be in the same bracket with the Guardiola’s and Mourinho’s but there are several aspects of his skillset that mesmerises bigger clubs.
*THE EXPERIENCE*
His technical know how and tactical prowess may not be that which wins many titles but his impact in transforming football clubs with close to average aims to ones with ambition can not go unnoticed.
The resurgence he brought in a young club like Rabben ballsport Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg will remain an incredible achievement.
His audacity to double as the Sporting Director and Head Coach during critical instances speaks a lot about his determination and passion.
In as much as his Sporting Director role impacted RB Leibzig through the ranks to 2. Bundesliga, the second tier German League, it again took his efforts to man the dugout to ensure qualification to the German Bundesliga.
The history of Ralf clearly suggests that he is not satisfied with just coaching the playing body of any team but is more comfortable with steering the affairs from the technical department.
That is why even after chalking a huge achievement in promoting RB Leipzig to the Bundesliga as a coach, he would go back to concentrate on his Directorship role and rather hire Hassenhutl to lead the playing body.
*Not a Mere Builder*
Ralf might not be a serial winner as earlier stipulated but he definitely knows how to win. He would at least instill the right mentally in the Manchester United squad while he implements a playing identity.
The club has been trophiless in three straight seasons and some fans have already written the club off as favourites for any trophy this season. However, a 63 year old with all the experience and boldness would definitely get them back on track. He would plausibly do that at least with the stellar names who are mentally strong already. January, which is about a month away would also present him an opportunity to select qualities of his preference from the transfer market. He already has a reputation in making the best of deals with the likes of Sadio Mané and Timo Werner all part of the story.
*Two Year Consultancy Role was an Ideal Decision*
Regardless of the fact that, he has managed a lot of teams and relatively recorded so much success, it should be of general knowledge that, the Manchester United interim job would be his first coaching job outside Germany.
What it genuinely means is that, it would take time to build an empire in an entirely different environment. It is of no surprise that he rejected the initial offer and opted for a consultancy role for an extra two years. A failure as an interim boss wouldn’t be appealing on an old man’s CV but getting the opportunity to vindicate himself in a superior role will be an ideal decision.
Even Jurgen Klopp, whom Ralf has likened his style of play to, needed time to lift Liverpool up. Thus testing him with a less than seven month job might have appeared to be unfair to the new Manchester United boss.
*TACTICAL DEMANDS*
There are highly rated players at Manchester United but their work rate is what would matter most, under Ralf Rangnick. His counter pressing style of coaching will definitely need the services or players who would both attack and defend and ultimately be productive at the end of the day. Does a 36 year old Ronaldo, a 34 year old Edisnson Cavani and Bruno Fernandez among others, possess those qualities? Well, it would be too early to predict who his favourites would be, but some big names may end up as outcasts with respect to Rangnick’s demanding nature of tactics.
Manchester United has an experienced coach and manager, and in all, an expensive football asset.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/ Frank Appiah
