Ralf Rangnick walking away from his role at Manchester United will not surprise Milan supporters, who had a narrow escape in their dealings with the German.
Rangnick was brought in by the Premier League side as an interim manager in December 2021 and was meant to then remain as a director.
That was downgraded to consultant after he took on the job of Austria coach from June 2022, then today Manchester United announced he wasn’t going to do that either.
Milan fans will be happier than ever today that they narrowly avoided signing Rangnick, especially as it would’ve destroyed the project that just won them the Serie A title for the first time in 11 years.
Rangnick first caused controversy for the Rossoneri when director Zvonimir Boban came out in early July 2020 and complained publicly that CEO Ivan Gazidis had already agreed terms with the German in December 2019, without telling Boban and Paolo Maldini.
The club then sacked Boban, but had a run of great results under Pioli once the season resumed after the pandemic-induced pause.
Completely against the predictions, Pioli suddenly signed a new two-year contract at Milan in July 2020.
It was never entirely clarified if Rangnick had pulled out, or Milan changed their minds, but either way his consultant Marc Kosicke told Bild: “AC Milan and Ralf Rangnick decided it is not the right moment for this collaboration.”
That proved to be a masterstroke from the Rossoneri, who just won their first Serie A title since 2010-11.
Rangnick had wanted carte blanche to act not only as coach at Milan, but also director of sport dealing with their transfer strategy, which would’ve essentially pushed Maldini out too.
The 63-year-old’s career has recently been largely in directorial roles within the Red Bull organisation, then had a brief spell at Lokomotiv Moscow in July-November 2021.
Ralf Rangnick announces that he will not be staying on at United as a consultant.#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 29, 2022
HOW LONG WILL THIS GUY STAY AS MANAGER OF AUSTRIA?
GIVE HIM 6 MONTHS SINCE HE SEEMS TO BE A MISFIT WHEREVER HE GOES ……
GOOD RIDDANCE ….
And some people still defending this guy, if he cannot even fixed MU then how does he supposed to fixed our Milan prior to Pioli extension? not to mention that Maldini our prince has to be out of the picture with his arrival!!,
I don’t care how long he stays with Austria, I’m just happy he has finally left Manchester, Rangnik nicked a living here.
How an interim coach should have solved 10 years old problems in just 6 month? Are you people insane?