JUST IN: Rangnick appointed Man U interim manager

 

Ralf Rangnick has been appointed Manchester United interim manager until the end of the season.

The 63-year-old’s contract will see him oversee the first team until June and then remain at the club for at least a further two years in a consultancy role.

United reached an agreement with Lokomotiv Moscow last week for the release of Rangnick, who was manager of sports and development at the Russian club.

He will take the reins from Michael Carrick who was in temporary charge of the team for last week’s 2-0 Champions League win over Villarreal and Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea in the Premier League.

United are planning to make a permanent appointment at the end of the season and Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino is their first choice, with Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag also in their thinking.

Rangnick oversaw the rise of the Red Bull group of clubs in Europe as head coach and sporting director of RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg.

The German is credited with having influenced Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann among many others.

Rangnick invented the ‘gegenpress’, which translates as ‘counter-press’; the high-pressing, all-out running style adopted to great fame by the current Liverpool boss Klopp.

Wayne Rooney, Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer, has backed Rangnick to bring “stability” back to Old Trafford and challenge for trophies this season

Speaking before Rangnick’s appointment was confirmed, Wayne Rooney said he thought the German would give Manchester United a chance of winning trophies this season, but added he has a tough job on his hands

“He is obviously very highly respected in the game,” Rooney, now the manager at Derby, said.

“I think he has got a tough job to come in, I don’t mean in terms of his ability [but] in terms of to come in for six months and stamp his way of playing, his pressing if you like and how he likes to work.

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“But he is very experienced and I am sure he will adapt to the players he has got and bring back some stability to the team, but also with a view of trying to win trophies.

“That Manchester United team is more than capable of winning trophies this season and I think they have made the right appointment to give themselves the best chance.”