Manchester United’s pursuit of a new manager – should they require one that is – may have just become that little bit more difficult as of Thursday morning. And the Premier League giants appear to have Ralf Rangnick to thank for that.
Should Ineos opt to swing the axe on Erik ten Hag, and it appears far from certain that they will at this stage despite a largely dreadful 2023/24, things looked to be opening up for the Red Devils.
Liverpool, also in the market for a new head coach, appear to have settled on Feyenoord boss Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement. Barcelona have stopped shopping around themselves, Xavi U-turning on his Camp Nou future.
But with Bayern set to move on from Thomas Tuchel – despite a healthy throng of supporters who want to see the German stay – Manchester United may still find themselves strapping on the gloves and preparing for a fistfight with one of Europe’s powerhouse clubs during the first summer of the Ineos era.
Especially now that Ralf Rangnick, the former United interim boss, has turned down the opportunity to step into Tuchel’s shoes.
Ralf Rangnick hasn’t helped Manchester United
“I’m the Austrian team coach with all my heart,” Rangnick said in a statement, committing his future to the Austrian national side with his contract running until 2026.
“I really enjoy this task and am determined to successfully continue on our chosen path. I would like to expressly emphasise that this is not a rejection of Bayern, but rather a decision for my team and our common goals.
“Our full concentration is on the Euros. We will do everything we can to get as far as possible.”
Rangnick may phrase his decision as ‘not a rejection of Bayern’, but, for all intents and purposes, it pretty much acts as that.
The former RB Leipzig chief has inadvertently made Man United’s pursuit of a potential Ten Hag successor that little bit more difficult, too, talkSPORT reporting that Bayern may now turn their attention to a highly-rated coach with admirers at Ineos (The Telegraph).
Bayern Munich are big Roberto de Zerbi fans
It is no secret that Bayern like the Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto de Zerbi. And with Rangnick saying no, and with Julian Nagelsmann’s proposed return to Bavaria also ruled out, the Brighton phone may well be lighting up in the coming weeks.
And if Bayern can succeed in luring De Zerbi away from The Amex, one of the leading candidates for the Man United job will see his name scrubbed from Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s shortlist.
“My admiration for him is growing every season,” one Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports last week, De Zerbi’s swaggering, free-flowing style still shining through despite a difficult run of results for Brighton. “They had a lot of problems and important players like (Levi) Colwill, (Moises) Caicedo, (Alexis) Mac Allister were sold.
“They have a lot of injuries and have played in three competitions, but the way they play is always there. He is doing an incredible job at Brighton.”
“He’s brave,” Guardiola adds. “It doesn’t matter which opponent, (De Zerbi) wants to impose his game, the process in build-up with the keeper, defenders, holding midfielders. They are exceptional.
“He’s a perfect person in world football. His teams are so attractive. In Italy, Ukraine (with Shakhtar Donetsk), now here. I’m a spectator always, always I like to watch.”
Thomas Tuchel still set to leave
Tuchel, meanwhile, will still be available this summer, a rather unseemly row with Bayern legend and honorary president Uli Hoeness continuing a trend for a man who’s tendency to fall out with his higher-ups may have Man United a little wary.
It has already been confirmed that the former Chelsea and PSG boss will be leaving the Allianz Arena.
So if United do want Tuchel, Rangnick’s decision to reject Bayern does not have an impact, barring a surprise U-turn from all concerned.