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If rumors are to be believed, Manchester United may have already found a replacement for the vacant managerial position with the imminent appointment of Ralf Rangnick.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Manchester United will be looking to bring Ralf Rangnick on as manager on an interim basis for the remainder of the season. The German will also reportedly enjoy a two-year consultancy role at Old Trafford starting next season.
Manchester United will likely be making it official once the paperwork and work permits are done. The Red Devils do not expect any complications from that side.
Still, the official documentation time means that Ralf Rangnick will miss Manchester United's fixture against a buoyant Chelsea side led by his pupil, Thomas Tuchel.
So in the meantime, let's look at why Ralf Rangnick is such a hallowed name in the footballing sphere and how Manchester United can expect to improve under him.
Who is Ralf Rangnick?
Ralf Rangnick is among the very few that can be identified as pioneers in coaching in world football.
Nicknamed the Professor, Rangnick is considered by many to be the father of the modern Gegenpressing style of football. Ralf Rangnick is not just about gegenpressing as he has worked as head of footballing operations and director of football at Red Bull's clubs.
If confirmed, Ralf Rangnick will be joining Manchester United from Lokomotiv Moscow, where he decided to become managing director of sports and development. Let's see how Ralf Rangnick can help the Red Devils turn around their abysmal conditions in the current campaign:
#5 Manchester United academy can be great again
Manchester United have had at least one academy graduate in the starting eleven on every occasion over the last 50 years in the Premier League. While there is no denying the greatness of Manchester United's philosophy, it can be claimed that few clubs, noticeably Chelsea, have outshined their academy recently.
Ralf Rangnick has worked with an incredible number of young talents throughout his scouting and coaching careers. Him, along with Paul Mitchell, nurtured players like Sadio Mane, Dayot Upamecano, and Joshua Kimmich.
All these players have made it on the big stage of world football for their respective clubs and countries.
#4 Counter-Attack out, Gegenpressing in
Manchester United's DNA involved playing on the counter and breaking into swift transitions under Sir Alex Ferguson. Although the style had reasonable success under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, there were also numerous problems.
Manchester United have repeatedly failed to break down teams sitting deep and, of late, have been vulnerable to counter attacks.
Football fans know what gegenpressing is and what its impact has been in English football. It's not just Juergen Klopp's Liverpool, there are also other beneficiaries.
With players working under a manager like Ralf Rangnick, exciting times potentially await Manchester United. It will be interesting to see how quickly the Red Devils can adapt to his demands.
#3 Ralf Rangnick can improve the existing squad
Manchester United need strengthening in midfield, but given how the transfer window goes in January, Ralf Rangnick may have to work with what the squad is. The Red Devils are still a great side with several world-class players, but Manchester United players will be short of confidence.
During recent poor performances, many former players like Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney have criticized the Manchester United players for their lack of desire and commitment. To improve the situation, there can be no better personnel than Ralf Rangnick.
The German is known for employing special 'rondos' in his training that look to improve the offensive and defensive side of the game.
His philosophy involves regaining possession within 8 seconds after losing the ball and when in attack, must take a shot on goal within 10 seconds. Rangnick employs a 'ticking clock' on the ground that helps make these habits a natural instinct of the players.
As such, the Manchester United players, who have often been criticized for the way they have been coached and trained, could benefit massively under Ralf Rangnick.
#2 Manchester United can solidify recruitment strategy
"If you can't get the right players, don't get the wrong ones at least".
The above is a quote by Ralf Rangnick himself, which underlines a massive issue with Manchester United. By changing managers that play significantly differently from each other, Manchester United have invested in many players who can't provide returns on the money spent on them. Few became so poor that United had to book immediate losses on the investment.
Ralf Rangnick was the man who once informed his then club about a certain talented Brazilian, but his idea was rejected on the grounds of a transfer fee. PSV used Rangnick's suggestion to give the world a glimpse of Brazilian sensation Ronaldo - the phenomenon. And the rest is history!
Manchester United have overspent on so many occasions that it looks abysmal at times. Ralf Rangnick will have his job cut out because Manchester United will have to recruit better and wiser going forward.
Given his track record, there could be no better candidate than Ralf Rangnick to clean up the recruitment strategy.
#1 Manchester United could establish proper system
Ralf Rangnick will be at Manchester United beyond six months in the role of a consultant. As per multiple sources, Richard Arnold, who will be taking over from Ed Woodward, will be looking to delegate the tasks to experts rather than learn on the job.
The first big task will be to get a new manager for the long run at Manchester United. The Red Devils are yet to find the talisman post Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, and perhaps Ralf Rangnick holds the key.
Ralf Rangnick is not just a scout or an executive, but he has trained many of the modern and the best German coaches. Both Tuchel and Klopp have spoken highly about Rangnick's influence on their managerial styles. Quite honestly, what can be a bigger testament to the kind of organization that Ralf Rangnick can bring to Manchester United?
Manchester United will be keeping hold of Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick, as well as Nick Cox. Under the watchful eye of the German, Manchester United could establish a proper system from top to bottom at Old Trafford. The club could benefit massively from such an organizational structure that has been lacking recently.
