Manchester United’s wait for a Premier League trophy now stretches longer than a decade with a raft of high-profile managers failing to live up to the billing since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
A plethora of top names have come and gone over the last 12 years and United are now on their sixth permanent manager in the shape of Ruben Amorim.
German coach Ralf Rangnick also tested the Old Trafford waters having taken interim charge of the side after the sacking of club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back in 2021.
Rangnick was appointed with the view of moving him into a consultancy position after his term on the sidelines got over at the end of that particular campaign.
However, Rangnick didn’t join his behind-the-scenes role after agreeing to take over as the national coach of Austria in the summer of 2022.
Since then, the German has overseen a notable period of progression for the Austrians who caught the eye in Euro 2024 in particular.
However, as reported by Sky Germany journalist, Florian Plettenberg, Rangnick may be closing in on one of the top roles in European club football.
Plettenberg posted on his X account that the 66-year-old has held a “secret meeting” with the Borussia Dortmund board who are looking for a new coach after parting ways with Nuri Sahin.
🚨⚫️🟡 EXCL | Yesterday in Salzburg, there was a secret meeting between #BVB executives and Ralf #Rangnick!
Borussia Dortmund explored whether Rangnick could take over the head coach position immediately. He is also considered a candidate for the summer. Rangnick’s contract as… pic.twitter.com/V2BYylByBH
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 28, 2025
It’s claimed Dortmund spoke to Rangnick about both the possibility of taking over at the end of the season, or with immediate effect.
However, the German’s contract with Austria runs until the summer of this year and Plettenberg claims Rangnick is “leaning towards declining BVB’s offer” with his focus still very much on his international role.
Former United manager Erik ten Hag has also been rumored to be on the shortlist of the Bundesliga side who have struggled for form since Edin Terzic left the club after last season’s Champions League final.
Rangnick’s time in Manchester is possibly best remembered for his recommendation that United were in need of “open heart surgery” after he spent considerable time with the players.
Since Rangnick left the club, United have secured a couple of domestic trophies but have been drifting further and further away from the top of the Premier League, which has only gone to show how right the German’s damning assessment was.
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Conner Botterill
Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for two years. A keen match-going red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology, Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.
