Manchester United are expected to announce the addition of Chris Armas to Ralf Rangnick’s coaching staff in the ‘coming days’, according to the Athletic.
Rangnick took control of his first game as interim boss in yesterday’s 1-0 home win against Crystal Palace.
It was only three days prior that Michael Carrick managed United to a 3-2 win against Arsenal at Old Trafford, but moments after the victory, the club’s former midfielder announced his immediate departure from his role of first team coach.
That has left Rangnick working with the existing coaching staff, which includes the likes of Kieran McKenna, Mike Phelan and Eric Ramsay, who were all added by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
In his first press-conference as manager of Manchester United, Rangnick revealed that he was hoping to bring in a coach of his own choice.
It now looks like the 63-year-old has been granted that wish, as the addition of Armas looks imminent.
According to the Athletic, Armas’ arrival should be announced in the ‘coming days’. The American has previously managed New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC after a playing career with the Long Island Rough Riders, La Galaxy and Chicago Fire.
According to football journalist Fabrizio Romano, Armas will ‘replace’ Carrick in United’s coaching staff.
Who is Chris Armas
The 49-year-old, who got 66 caps for the USA national team, was born in New York, but is of Puerto Rico descent. However, after suffering an ACL injury just before the 2002 World Cup, Armas never featured for USA at a World Cup
Prior to playing for USA, Armas played for Puerto Rico in the 1993 Caribbean Cup, but the competition was not recognised by FIFA and so his five matches were classed as friendlies, and therefore he was able to change his international allegiance.
In his ten years in the MLS, Armas totalled 11 goals and 41 assists, plus added four goals and four assists in the play-offs.
He retired from professional football in November 2007 after 12 years in the MLS.
Armas served as an assistant coach for the Chicago Fire in 2008 and was the head women’s soccer coach at Adelphi University between 2011 and 2015.
In July 2018, Armas was promoted to head coach of New York Red Bulls after former manager Jesse Marsch departed the club to join RB Salzburg, as an assistant.
Just like sister clubs RB Leipzig and Salzburg, two teams that Rangnick has had a huge influence on in recent years, New York Red Bulls are also part of the Red Bull company. As well as Leipzig and Salzburg, Rangnick was also head of sport and development for Red Bull’s clubs in New York and Brazil, while Armas was head coach.
Armas helped the Red Bulls finish first in the regular season, winning the Supporters’ Shield as a result. However, the Red Bulls were eliminated in the conference finals by Atalanta United.
Armas parted ways with the Red Bulls in September 2020. In January 2021, Armas was hired head coach of Toronto FC, but after only six months in charge and following a 7-1 loss to D.C United, Armas was sacked in July.
But after five months out of the game, it looks like Armas could be joining Rangnick at Old Trafford.
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