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Ahead of Erik ten Hag’s appointment at Manchester United for the 2022/2023 season, Ralf Rangnick briefly served as interim manager following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure.
Ralf Rangnick arrival and short-lived success
After Solskjaer was dismissed, Rangnick was brought in with the understanding that he would not be considered for the permanent role.
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Manchester United had already lined up Erik ten Hag to take over after the 2021/2022 campaign. Rangnick officially took charge in December 2021, winning his first game 1-0 against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.
However, like many of United’s managerial spells post-Sir Alex Ferguson, the initial success didn’t last long.
Decline in performance under Ralf Rangnick
Manchester United’s form quickly deteriorated. The team was knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16.
Shortly after, they suffered a 4-0 defeat to Liverpool, a result that further highlighted the gap between United and their rivals.
Although Erik ten Hag’s side later experienced a 7-0 loss at Anfield, this defeat under Rangnick still exposed significant weaknesses.
Rangnick famously stated that Liverpool were “six years ahead” of Manchester United, emphasizing the chasm between the two teams.
Rangnick’s blunt assessment two years ago
In a candid evaluation of the club’s condition back in 2022, Rangnick said, “We need positive energy for the new team and the new manager.
“It’s not the manager’s quality – it’s changing all the other things that have brought the club into a position we are in right now.
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“The good thing – one of the few – is it’s crystal clear. You don’t even need glasses to see the problems. Now it’s only about how you can solve them. Not minor cosmetic things. This is an open-heart operation.
“If everyone realises this has to happen and works together, it doesn’t need to take years.”
Despite plans for Rangnick to continue in a consultancy role under Ten Hag, he left the club at the end of the 2021/2022 season to focus on managing the Austrian national team.
Rangnick’s record and recent assessment
In his brief spell as interim manager, Rangnick recorded the lowest win percentage of any United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. Out of 29 games, he won nine, drew eight, and lost two.
Recently, Rangnick reflected on his assessment and reiterated that his analysis had been accurate.
“I probably made that statement when the season was almost over about two years ago,” he said.
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“It is probably only two or three weeks since Erik ten Hag was asked the same thing. Then he said that I was right in my analysis. I don’t know how many players they have signed since, but it looks like I was right.”
Conclusion
Rangnick’s recent comments feel like a dig, almost as if he’s rubbing salt in the wounds, given United’s current struggles and their lackluster performance last season.
Erik ten Hag seems to agree with Rangnick’s previous analysis. However, Rangnick’s remarks appear more directed at the club’s previous management or hierarchy before INEOS took over, rather than the current regime.
To be frank, Rangnick’s assessment isn’t wrong. The positive aspect of the new leadership is that they acknowledge these issues, which is why they have completely overhauled their recruitment policies and structures to fix the underlying problems.
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