Manchester United are preparing to announce Ralf Rangnick as the club’s interim manager, The Athletic first reported last week.
Rangnick will take the job until the end of the season and help United prepare to find a permanent successor for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was sacked a week ago.
The Rangnick news created a real buzz among United fans, with the German viewed as one of the most exciting of the interim options.
But there is no pleasing everybody. In his weekly column for BBC Sport, pundit Garth Crooks has completely misjudged the mood and suggested Rangnick’s appointment will leave United supporters angry.
Crooks commented: “They have gone for Ralf Rangnick. Ralf Who? I can almost feel the disapproval and contempt for the appointment buzzing around Old Trafford already, and that’s before the new interim coach has taken up his position.”
Just because you haven’t heard of him Garth…
Rangnick appointment could be outstanding
Crooks has got this one totally wrong, because hiring Ralf Rangnick is the right call for right now.
The worst option would have been to rush into the wrong permanent appointment. Rangnick buys United time, and will help the club make the right long term decision.
Rangnick will be staying on as a consultant beyond his interim role and he could help United to attract a elite boss like Erik Ten Hag, who could have viewed the club as too disorganised before.
There is no doubt United stumbled into this situation through poor decision making.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should have gone after the City game, if not before, and given United time to get Rangnick in, rather than having this extended wait for his arrival.
It is also very likely the German will be worth waiting for. The incoming interim boss has experience setting strategies and recruitment at his previous clubs, and he could potentially revolutionise United.
For the first time in a long time, the right football decision has been made, instead of the board looking for a commercial choice, or simply the easy one.
Crooks has it totally wrong. There is no contempt from United fans towards Rangnick.
There remains contempt towards United’s owners, and that won’t change. But when it comes to the incoming interim boss, there is approval and excitement about what Rangnick can bring to Old Trafford.
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