November 30 – Eight days after sacking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United have formally confirmed that Ralf Rangnick (pictured) will be their interim manager until the end of the season.
The highly respected German has left his role as head of sports and development at Lokomotiv Moscow to take charge of United, who have been led by former player Michael Carrick since the firing of Solskjaer.
United are planning to hire a permanent manager at the end of the season, at which time Rangnick will take up a “consultancy role for a further two years”.
Rangnick, a highly knowledgable technician revered by the likes of Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp and Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel, is a pioneer of the high-intensity pressing game.
“The squad is full of talent and has a great balance of youth and experience,” Rangnick said. “All my efforts for the next six months will be on helping these players fulfil their potential, both individually and, most importantly, as a team.”
Rangnick’s task will be to rescue United’s season and ensure a top-four finish. Despite having one of the most expensively assembled squads in the game, United are currently in eighth place, 12 points off leader Chelsea after 13 games.
Rangnick’s first match in charge will be against Arsenal on Thursday if he is able to secure a working visa by then. If not, Carrick will continue in his interim role.
United director John Murtough described Rangnick as “one of the most respected coaches and innovators in European football.”
“He was our No. 1 candidate for interim manager, reflecting the invaluable leadership and technical skills he will bring from almost four decades of experience in management and coaching.”
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