MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Former RB Leipzig coach Ralf Ragnick has been appointed as Manchester United’s interim manager until the end of season, the club announced Monday afternoon.
Ragnick, 63, replaces Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer who was sacked two weeks ago after three successive league defeats to Watford, rivals Manchester City, and Liverpool.
“Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager until the end of the season, subject to work visa requirements,” the club statement read.
John Murtough, Manchester United football director, said: “Ralf is one of the most respected coaches and innovators in European football. He was our number one candidate for interim manager, reflecting the invaluable leadership and technical skills he will bring from almost four decades of experience in management and coaching.
The German tactician has also agreed to continue in a consultancy role with the club for a further two years at the end of the season tenure.
“Everyone at the club is looking forward to working with him during the season ahead, and then for a further two years in his advisory role,” the club stated.
Ralf Rangnick said: “I am excited to be joining Manchester United and focused on making this a successful season for the club.
“The squad is full of talent and has a great balance of youth and experience. 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. “Beyond that, I look forward to supporting the club’s longer-term goals on a consultancy basis,” he said.
According to the club statement, Michael Carrick will remain in charge of the first team until Ralf’s work visa is finalised.
Ragnick is famously known for mentoring Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel, Bayern Munich’s Julian Naggelsman, and is known to many as the god-father of gengen pressing in football.
His first game in charge of United, who are eighth in the Premier League, could be against Arsenal on 2 December if his work permit application is received in time.
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