Ralf Rangnick has agreed to advise Manchester United for the next two years as his role as interim manager comes to an end. The German coach will be in charge for the final time this weekend as his side faces Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Rangnick opened up on the conversations he’s held with Erik ten Hag, the incoming manager at United.
Ten Hag signed a three-year deal last month and has been tasked with turning United’s fortunes around, a challenge failed by David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before him.
The former Ajax boss will, however, have Rangnick as a helping hand and the intel he gained from his six-month stint in charge of the side could be invaluable.
🎙️ "It is important that the club finds players for whom it is the next logical step in their career."
Ralf Rangnick has spoken to Erik Ten Hag about how he can help the new manager to rebuild the team and get the club 'back to the top'. pic.twitter.com/PPANqKhEod
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 20, 2022
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“We spoke about that in detail, about all the different areas where I could maybe be of help,” he said, via Sky Sports, on his conversation with Ten Hag.
“It’s not that difficult to know in which areas this could be. I think we showed that in the last 15 years with Hoffenheim, Salzburg and Leipzig.
“Even for clubs who were not as prominent as Manchester United, it’s possible to identify, develop and even at one stage, sell. I know that Manchester United should normally not be a selling club but rather a developing and buying club but this is possible.
“And I think this is what is most important. That the club finds players for whom it is the best logical step in their career. To develop their sportive career. If that happens, I’m more than positive and I can also hopefully be encouraging our fans that we will back Manchester United back to the top.”
SN’s verdict…
In addition to his two-year consultancy role, Rangnick will become the manager of Austria’s national team, casting doubt over whether he will have a major role at Manchester United board level.
A say in recruitment could, however, be a perfect fit for Rangnick. It’s an area he has thrived in in the past and it would not be as time-consuming as other roles.
For instance, Rangnick is credited with ‘discovering’ several of the first-team regulars at Liverpool, including Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Ibrahima Konate and Naby Keita.
Clearly, the recruitment at United has been diabolical over the last 10 years and Rangnick’s expertise should be captured rather than dismissed, despite his poor stint in charge of the already dysfunctional team.
