Ralf Rangnick is being reported to have agreed to take over at Manchester United as an interim manager for six months, days after the club announced the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Although not yet confirmed officially, Ralf Rangnick whose name has come up as one of those who has held talks with Manchester United’s board, and likely to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, is said to be working out his work permit so to travel to Manchester United, after both parties have finalised the agreement to make him their next manager. But Michael Carrick is likely to remain in charge of Manchester United for their Premier League game at Chelsea on Sunday.
According to The Athletic an agreement has been reached with Ralf Rangnick, which will see him leave his position as head of sports and development at Lokomotiv Moscow to take up the role.
The Russian club still have to agree to release Rangnick from his contract, although United are understood to not view this as an obstacle to the 63-year-old taking the helm.
Regarded as the ‘Godfather of German football’, Rangnick’s modern coaching has revolutionised the game in his homeland. The same outlet reports that he will take up a two-year consultancy role once his six-month stint in charge comes to an end.
The Manchester Evening News report that Ralf Rangnick flew into Manchester at the start of the week to hold talks with the club. He reportedly rejected an initial offer to take charge, but has since accepted new terms.
The 63-year-old has previously managed Hannover, Schalke, Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig.
He has more recently taken up roles as director of football at Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig before moving to Russia. He also had a stint as Leipzig boss.
Rangnick has a track record of developing youngsters and laid the foundations at Salzburg and Leipzig for the likes of Erling Haaland, Timo Werner and Dayot Upamecano to flourish.
Why Ralf Rangnick:
United have opted to appoint an interim boss after acknowledging that landing their prime target, Mauricio Pochettino is too difficult at this stage.
Although PSG on Wednesday denied that an official approach for Pochettino has been rejected, Sportsmail understands United had tried to discreetly ascertain through a third party whether a move to install the former Tottenham boss as permanent manager as soon as possible would be a realistic option.
However, PSG are reluctant to let the Argentine depart mid-season and disrupt their campaign, although he is expected to re-emerge as a leading candidate for the United job in the summer, once Rangnick’s term ends.
Although committing to two separate managerial appointments is a peculiar strategy, the Old Trafford hierarchy are said to be satisfied that an interim would provide stability and momentum while giving them the freedom to install a permanent replacement at the end of the season.