If you’re reading this article, you’re probably wondering Will Ralf Rangnick be a successful manager at Manchester United? Whether He has the patience and ambition required, or whether he’s just a bumbling, impulsive manager, is up for debate. There are several factors to consider, including the level of ambition and the team’s ability to control the game.
Ralf Rangnick’s aims and ambitions
The Austrian coach has given his realistic assessment of the season ahead, saying that finishing fourth in the Premier League would be a great achievement. That said, United have conceded 48 goals in the league this season, three more than second-placed Burnley. Rangnick is also aware that a weakened defence could lead to a weakened attack, and wants to improve the team’s balance.
The interim manager’s background may be the reason for his low expectations. Rangnick’s career path to Old Trafford has been somewhat unconventional. In January, he was unofficial agent for Jurgen Klopp, and after the failure of his attempt to appoint Thomas Tuchel, he scouted Callum Hudson-Odoi, Jadon Sancho, and other players.
After Solskjaer’s sacking, Rangnick will take on a consultancy role with the club for the next two seasons. In this capacity, he will advise the club on its search for a new head coach and select key leaders in other areas. He has not spoken about his future plans, but his time with the club is limited. Rangnick has also been quoted as saying that he is “impatient” when asked about the future of the club.
Rangnick’s coaching history is extensive. He has worked with many current managers including Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann. Despite Rangnick’s low win-rate, he has shown a clear track record of developing young players. One recent example is Anthony Elanga, who established himself as a key member of the first team under Rangnick. However, he is far from the only person to have achieved this at Manchester United.
His ability to build a team
While the German was rumoured to be in the running for the permanent managerial role at Manchester United, the club decided to hire a consultant rather than promote him. Rangnick’s appointment meant that United could use his expertise to improve the team’s performance, and he outlined his new role, which would focus on player recruitment and development. He also has experience of working with top managers and youth teams.
A key part of Rangnick’s job will be to convince the United squad that his ideas are the right ones. After all, his Schalke United team wasn’t assembled with his ideas in mind. But he was able to convince them to win the Bundesliga title under his wing with Raul. If this is the case, Rangnick will have no trouble building a team at Manchester United.
In his previous role as manager of RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim, Rangnick was known to implement his ideas quickly. In these cases, Rangnick worked directly with the club owners, including Dietmar Hopp at Hoffenheim. However, he soon delegated responsibility for the team to trusted members of staff. Rangnick previously employed an army of specialists. However, as the season continues to drag on, Rangnick’s ability to build a team at Manchester United is in question.
His patience
There are some who question Rangnick’s ability to rebuild a struggling club. Rangnick has no money to invest in transfers and a club that has become increasingly impatient with patience. However, his patience may prove beneficial in rebuilding a team that has fractured since his arrival. Rangnick was expected to take on another role at United, working with Austria alongside his current one. While the dual role was initially meant to be an escape route, it may have worked for both parties.
After taking over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Rangnick had a shrewd attacking philosophy. Under this regime, United produced some of their best performances, as they had creative players such as Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba. However, the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo changed Manchester United’s identity. Rangnick has tried to bring this back but it seems he has fallen short.
With so much expectation on the club, patience will be essential to succeed at Manchester United. Rangnick may not have the time to introduce a new style of football during pre-season. If he was appointed before pre-season, he would have had more time to work with the players and develop a new system. That means he’ll need to be patient with players, who may be a bit impatient right now.
His ambition
Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, Ralf Rangnick has struggled to impose his own ‘DNA’ on Manchester United. His approach to football – developing young players, attacking style and a never-say-die attitude – are hard to pin down. United have conceded 48 league goals, three more than second-placed Burnley. Although Rangnick has failed to implement his ‘DNA’, he has given many academy graduates a chance to break into the first team.
The Austrian manager’s ambitions for his team have been highlighted by a number of recent incidents. In 2013, Rangnick identified Yussuf Poulsen as a big talent. Now a Denmark international, he met with Rangnick in 2013, during which he predicted Poulsen’s career path. Rangnick’s man management is tailored to each individual player, allowing him to unlock the potential of his players.
The Austrian coach’s ambitions for Manchester United include qualifying for the Champions League this season. He will be the club’s interim manager until the end of the 2021-22 season, and then be a consultant for two years. While Rangnick has high hopes for the club, his ambitions are tempered by the challenges that lie ahead. While Rangnick has a lot to prove, he will need to work with the current system for at least a year before deciding on a new coach.
If he were fully committed and interested, Ralf Rangnick could have boosted United’s chances of success. Despite his limited role, Rangnick could have helped the team achieve a silverware after five years of not winning anything. The team has been knocked out of the Champions League and FA Cup under Rangnick. And if Rangnick is a successful consultant, he can still play an important role in the club.
His first game
While the arrival of an Austrian as interim manager at Manchester United is welcomed by supporters, there is a certain degree of doubt over his tactical understanding. While he might have been able to squeeze more from the club’s star names, Rangnick has been a shadow figure since his appointment as interim manager. Rangnick also had little say in the appointment of Erik ten Hag and the moving of United’s two leading scouts. Rangnick is also unlikely to make any big spending decisions in the next few months as United have decided to look elsewhere.
Ralf Rangnick’s first game as manager at Manchester United was a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. He has since been credited with developing United’s ‘gegenpressing’ style of play. After his introduction, the manager had just 48 hours to get to know the players. While Rangnick’s first game may have had some unintended consequences, he certainly gave his players more time to adjust.
Despite the win over Palace, United are still missing the balance in their midfield. Rangnick’s tactic of loading up on the attackers in the final third allowed the team to maintain control over the midfield. This approach allowed him to get more out of Fred than any previous manager. Fred also scored the opening goal in Rangnick’s spell, but United lost a point in a game where he did not start.
His future at Manchester United
Although the Austrian football coach has been in a consultancy role at Manchester United, he is yet to say whether he will stay at the club or not. His appointment as interim manager came as a surprise and was not influenced by any recent talks between the club and Rangnick. Rangnick has only a letter of intent with United and has yet to discuss his future. However, it seems that the club are keen on him, and they have not ruled out a permanent appointment.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the club’s future, the recent form of Manchester United has been positive. They are currently unbeaten in five games, occupying sixth place in the Premier League. Manager Ralf Rangnick recently spoke to Geoff Shreeves about the performance of his players. He was full of praise for their attitude and eagerness to learn. His side’s latest clean sheet against Crystal Palace was particularly pleasing.
The German’s experience is an asset for Manchester United. He managed Leipzig’s fourth tier and regional league to reach the Bundesliga. He has a wealth of experience in football, including working for RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg. But the decision to appoint him is not without risk. Manchester United can’t afford to fall behind the competition at the moment, as their rivals are setting the standard in English football.
