Rangnick Found His Calling Early
"You're kind of born to be a coach," he told Red Bulletin in October. Even at the age of six.
Hindsight has been far kinder. That interview took place in the winter of 1998. Looking back, Rangnick appears less a maverick and more an oracle.
Ralf Rangnick: A Coaching Prodigy
Ralf Dietrich Rangnick was born on June 29, 1958, in Backnang, Germany. He began his coaching career at the tender age of 16, while still playing as a youth player for VfB Stuttgart. After retiring from playing, Rangnick took over as manager of the club's youth team.
In 1999, Rangnick was appointed manager of the German Bundesliga club Hannover 96. He led the team to promotion to the Bundesliga in his first season and kept them in the top flight for three seasons.
In 2006, Rangnick moved to Schalke 04, where he won the German Cup in 2011. He also led the team to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2011.
In 2012, Rangnick joined RB Leipzig, a newly promoted Bundesliga club. He led the team to promotion to the Bundesliga 2 in his first season and to the Bundesliga in his second season. In 2019, he led RB Leipzig to the final of the German Cup.
Rangnick's Managerial Style
Rangnick is known for his attacking style of play. His teams are typically high-pressing and play with a high tempo. He is also known for his emphasis on youth development.
Rangnick has been a major influence on a number of young coaches, including Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel, and Jurgen Klopp.
Rangnick's Manchester United Appointment
In November 2021, Rangnick was appointed interim manager of Manchester United following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He signed a six-month contract with the option to extend for a further two years.
Rangnick's appointment was met with mixed reactions. Some fans were excited by the prospect of him bringing his attacking style of play to Old Trafford, while others were skeptical about his ability to succeed in the Premier League.
Rangnick has a proven track record of success at club level, but he has never managed a team in the Premier League. It will be interesting to see how he fares in England's top flight.
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