Pranav Nair
Ralf Rangnick to hold talks with Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna before finalizing his Manchester United staff
According to The Athletic (Subscription Required), Ralf Rangnick is all set to hold talks with Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna before deciding upon his coaching team at Manchester United.
The German tactician looks set to take over as the club’s interim manager until the end of the season. It will signal a new dawn at Old Trafford following years of falling short.
Given that the 63-year-old is set to continue in a consultancy role following the end of the campaign, it is fair to say that his association with the club will be long term. It, therefore, makes sense that he has his own men at the club to call the shots.
Testing the waters?
Despite not taking over yet, Rangnick has already informed the Man United hierarchy that he needs at least one more coach as part of his setup. The German has already got to work and is reviewing training footage from Carrington.
The deal to bring him to Old Trafford looks set to be completed soon. Once in, Rangnick will meet members of the Man United coaching staff to determine whether they have a future at the club. This includes Carrick and McKenna, two members of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s staff held in high esteem at the club.
Carrick took over as caretaker manager following Solskjaer’s exit and was in the dugout for our midweek trip to Villarreal. He got off to a winning start as the Red Devils booked their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League. The match against Chelsea at the weekend will, however, prove to be a tougher challenge.
It is fair to say that Rangnick will be watching on and making his own interpretations from Carrick’s performance against his former protege Thomas Tuchel on the night. Those at Man United believe their new interim boss will be an excellent influence on the duo.
A long-needed restructure
The German has a reputation for mentoring top tier coaches. Given the investment Man United have made in Carrick and McKenna, it is clear to see why they would want the duo to benefit from Rangnick’s appointment.
The 63-year-old is keen to make the changes at the Theatre of Dreams and has petitioned the club’s decision-makers to hire a video analyst. Thankfully, they have seemingly agreed to the request and a new era is slowly yet steadily taking shape at Old Trafford.
Rangnick will also be allowed to bring in two of his own backroom staff. This includes his trusted right-hand man, Lars Kornetka, who has been with the German since his days at TSG Hoffenheim.
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In Rangnick, Man United have got themselves one of the foremost minds in the modern game. The German has a special focus on attention to detail and could be the right man to build the club from the bottom up. Keeping Carrick in charge for a longer duration would have otherwise put question marks over the decision to sack Ole.
The Englishman was, after all, Solskjaer’s trusted assistant. If the board really does want to take a new approach, hiring a new, proven, and experienced manager makes sense. And that is what they are doing with Rangnick’s appointment.
The winds of change are blowing at Old Trafford and Man United will do well to hand over the reins to the 63-year-old. Whether he will go on to rebuild the team or join the list of managers who fell by the wayside remains to be seen. Time, after all, is the biggest witness.
