Manchester United have appointed Ralf Rangnick as their new executive vice-chairman to oversee the club’s commercial interests. The former Schalke director will be responsible for “rebuilding” Manchester United with a focus on developing global brands and attract sponsorships.
Ralf Rangnick is the sporting director of RB Leipzig, a club that has been in the spotlight for its success this season. He wants to help Manchester United regain “control” of games.
8:00 a.m. ET
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Dawson, Rob Correspondent
Ralf Rangnick uttered one word over and again when he was introduced as Manchester United’s new temporary coach at Old Trafford on Friday: control.
On the field, the squad hasn’t had much luck this season, and even when they have, it’s been a shambles, with the club needing to come back from behind or find a last-minute victory. Cristiano Ronaldo is usually the source.
However, since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, there has looked to be a lot of turmoil off the field as well. Managers arrive and go. Various concepts were implemented and then abandoned. The players purchased and then sold. If there was a plan, it wasn’t always evident.
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Rangnick, a 63-year-old German, claims he has here to reclaim power. Initially, during games, to assist United in their recovery from a poor start to the season. Then, with a two-year consulting job starting in the summer, he’ll shift his attention to what goes on behind the scenes.
He has a six-month contract to coach the squad and a two-year contract to coach the club, as Gary Neville put it. And United is a team in desperate need of help.
Rangnick’s first task is to prepare the squad for Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford by Crystal Palace. He’ll be pressed for time coming only three days after the 3-2 triumph against Arsenal on Thursday night. On Friday, he was quick to assure supporters that no anti-press revolution is in the works. There will, however, be adjustments.
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Rangnick, who had his first training session on Friday afternoon, remarked, “The players have to go along with me.” “They must not only obey my directions, but they must also believe in my ability to show them how we should play in the future.” That is what it all boils down to.
“It needs to be done in stages. This cannot be accomplished in one or two days. That isn’t going to work.”
Rangnick was satisfied with United’s performance in the 20 minutes after halftime against Mikel Arteta’s side while watching from the directors’ box on Thursday. Even if it was a fantastic viewing, he gave the feeling that the rest was a little too tense for him.
“The game was thrilling for the spectators, but they are not the kinds of games that we need every day,” Rangnick said. “Football, for me, is about minimizing the coincidence element and having control and gaining control of a game.”
“What it’s all about is football.” The way they played in their half for 20 minutes [in the second half], closing down Arsenal in their box, showed the team’s potential.
Ralf Rangnick, Manchester United’s interim manager, talks to the media for the first time since joining the club. courtesy of Getty Images
“I believe that the key to gaining control of games in the future is to play aggressively, regardless of whether we have the ball or the opposing team has it.”
“It’s about assisting the team in playing together; it’s not about pressing or counter-pressing for the sake of pushing; it’s about maintaining control. This is the main objective.”
Rangnick feels he can achieve it with the players he has, and when asked about the January transfer window, he spoke politely and eloquently. He was at ease enough to laugh about claims that he would be paid a bonus if he can assist United sign Erling Haaland, and he admitted to calling Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before accepting the position.
Following Ferguson’s departure more than eight years ago, Solskjaer was the fourth permanent manager to take charge, and the team Rangnick inherits has the imprint of all of them. And, he claims, this is not a good thing.
“There have been changes in management, so it’s been tough for the club to maintain consistency in terms of recruiting new players and adhering to the club’s DNA, which I believe is important in contemporary football,” he added.
“For me, the fact that there have been so many changes is not exceptional, and I believe the board members and I share the same perspective that it is critical that we improve in the future and that there will not be as many changes in management.”
Of course, saying it is easier than doing it.
Rangnick, at the very least, sat in the press conference theatre under the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand early on Friday and set out a strategy for United, starting with Palace and finishing with a return to Ferguson’s golden days.
Fans who have witnessed the mayhem emerge in the eight years after the Scot left will be relieved by his clarity of thought. Rangnick’s next step is to put his theory into practice.
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“Ralf Rangnick wants to help Manchester United to regain ‘control’ of games” is a quote from Ralf Rangnick, the new sporting director at Manchester United. He has been hired in order to restore the club’s lost “control” of games. Reference: ralf rangnick teams coached.
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