Manchester United appoint Rangnick as interim manager after sacking Solskjaer

Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as their interim manager, with the 63-year-old German returning to the field after serving as sporting and development director at Russia’s Lokomotiv Moscow.

The Red Devils have placed another backstop following the split of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was asked to join himself briefly back in December 2018.

With the 1999 Treble winner paying the price for the lack of consistency at Old Trafford, former RB Leipzig manager Rangnick has been asked to maintain the ship until the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

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Terms of the agreement

Rangnick’s deal as manager runs for six months until the end of the season and he was offered a consulting role for two years after that, which was key to his decision. move to Old Trafford.

Sources say the German player is not interested in taking the job when it is only a short-term role for six months, but offers to stay and use his expertise to help tall people More in the football structure after the season is over is something that appeals to him.

GOAL understands that United have not paid any compensation to Lokomotiv Moscow even though Rangnick only signed a three-year contract with them in the summer.

It remains to be confirmed when Rangnick will feature in his first game as coach. United take on Arsenal at Old Trafford on Thursday but the German is still awaiting his work visa and the process to get that has become longer and more complicated since Brexit.

If he doesn’t make it in time, his first official match in charge will be against Crystal Palace at the weekend.

Man Utd confirmed by informing Rangnick that Michael Carrick, who has overseen Man Utd’s last two games after Solskjaer was sacked following a 4-1 defeat to Watford on 20 November, will continue to take charge of the team. until the Germans were authorized to do so.

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What was said?

Rangnick told his new club’s website: “I am delighted to be joining Manchester United and focused on making this a successful season for the club.

“The squad is full of talent and has a great balance between youth and experience. All of my efforts over the next six months will be aimed at helping these players reach their full potential, both individually and most importantly as a team.

“In addition, I look forward to supporting the club’s long-term goals on a consultative basis.”

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Bigger picture

While Rangnick is currently at the helm, with United eighth in the Premier League and 12 points behind the leader, a long-term coach is still being sought.

GOAL has learned that former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, who is currently in France with Paris Saint-Germain, remains the preferred option with the Old Trafford board.

It is understood the Argentinian will be ready to return to English football in the middle of the season, but his Ligue 1 bosses are reluctant to negotiate a deal at this stage.

The Red Devils were forced through a list of alternatives, including one-time Barcelona coach, Ernesto Valverde.

They now have their men at Rangnick, with a coach highly regarded by Jurgen Klopp and Julian Nagelsmann will now take on the role of head coach outside Germany for the first time in his career.

What is Rangnick’s background in football?

Rangnick previously managed five clubs in the Bundesliga including Schalke and RB Leipzig.

With Schalke, he enjoyed the greatest success, finishing second as runner-up in the German top flight for the 2004-05 season, while he won DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup glory. In 2011.

In 2012, Rangnick became director of football for both RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg and played a key role in the former’s promotion from the fourth tier of German football to the Bundesliga.

Rangnick’s most recent position was at Russian Premier League side Lokomotiv Moscow, where he was appointed in July 2021.