Barcelona president Joan Laporta is a fan of Ralf Rangnick with the one-time Manchester United coach a shock candidate to replace Xavi at La Liga champions Barcelona.
Amid reports suggesting that Jose Mourinho could make a remarkable return to the club where he truly began his coaching journey – working as an assistant to Sir Bobby Robson and then Louis van Gaal – another of Manchester United’s post-Sir Alex Ferguson hires appears to be in contention too for one of world football’s most high-profile roles.
Few at Old Trafford will look back on Ralf Rangnick’s half-season spell in charge of the Red Devils with too much fondness.
The 65-year-old’s reputation, at least outside of Manchester, remains relatively intact, however, with the common consensus being that most would have struggled to turn around a Frankenstein squad at a club which operated almost like the muddled antithesis of their far-more well-run rivals.
Former Manchester United bosses linked with Barcelona
According to Sport, Barcelona president Joan Laporta is ‘seduced’ by the idea of bringing Rangnick to the Camp Nou.
The experienced German played a key role in RB Leipzig’s transformation into a German football force, and his supreme track record when it comes to developing young players will obviously appeal to a club who can boast such fresh-faced luminaries as Gavi, Pedri and Lamine Yamal.
Rangnick is currently the head coach of the Austria national team. His contract expires in 2026 but the chance to take over another of European football’s bonafide A-list clubs – especially at his advanced age – may be an opportunity which appeals to the one-time Stuttgart, Schalke and Hoffenheim coach, who has been heralded the ‘Godfather of Gegenpressing’ and an influence to some of the world’s brightest tactical minds.
Deco discusses Jose Mourinho links
Mourinho, meanwhile, was spotted touching down in Barcelona recently while dismissing talk that he could take over at Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Shabab following his departure from AS Roma.
Barcelona director Deco won the Champions League under Mourinho with FC Porto in 2004 but insists, in conversation with Esport 3, that he has not yet discussed a potential reunion at the Camp Nou.
“(Mourinho) is a great friend of mine,” Deco says. “But I haven’t talked with him in a long time.
“We’re looking for a manager who can adapt to the club’s situation and that can keep developing the young players we have.”
Barca are currently ten points adrift of Real Madrid in the La Liga table. Man United loanee Facundo Pellistri scored one and assisted another during Sunday’s 3-3 draw with Granada.
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