Ralf Rangnick is set to be Man United’s interim manager until the end of the season after agreeing on terms over a six-month contract at Old Trafford.
The 63-year-old German coach is head of sports and development at Lokomotiv Moscow, and United is in talks with the Russian club to secure his release. Sources say that an agreement has yet to be reached between the two clubs but it is expected to be confirmed.
Rangnick, who will stay on at United for a further two years in a consultancy role as part of the deal, still needs a work permit . So, caretaker boss, Michael Carrick will remain in charge for Sunday’s trip to Chelsea.
Rangnick has a good relationship with the Old Trafford hierarchy having previously spoken to the club before they appointed Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho. He also interviewed for the Everton job before Carlo Ancelotti took over at Goodison Park in December 2019.
He has maintained links with senior figures at Old Trafford and, in particular, the club’s director of football John Murtaugh.
Rangnick is a leading advocate of the gegenpressing approach that influenced a generation of German coaches including Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann.
He has previously coached Stuttgart, Hannover, Hoffenheim and Schalke, having made his name by leading Ulm into the Bundesliga for the first time in their history. Rangnick also had two stints in charge of RB Leipzig after being appointed as director of football in 2012 as the club rose to the top-flight from the fourth tier of German football.
He has only won one major trophy as a manager – the German Cup in 2011 with Schalke – but steered the same club to the Champions League semi-finals in 2011 when they lost 6-1 on aggregate to United.
Rangnick joined Lokomotiv on a three-year contract in July, and the consultancy role at United ensures that he is compensated for the remainder of that deal.
United are looking for an experienced figure to bring stability and momentum for the rest of the season after ending Solskjaer’s three-year reign at the weekend, and feel that Rangnick fits the bill.
His first game in charge is likely to be against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Thursday or Crystal Palace at home three days later .