FC Bayern Munich
What speaks for Rangnick as Bayern coach – and what speaks against him
Ralf Rangnick (archive photo) is currently the hottest candidate for the coaching position at FC Bayern Munich
© Christian Charisius / DPA
FC Bayern Munich apparently wants to hire Ralf Rangnick as Thomas Tuchel’s successor. But would he be satisfied with the coaching role? Not the only sticking point.
What speaks for Ralf Rangnick at FC Bayern:
- Ralf Rangnick has been in German football for decades, celebrating success with village clubs and larger teams: FC Schalke 04, Hannover 96, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and an interlude at Manchester United are on the list of his coaching positions.
- Rangnick knows many of the Bayern players and managers from before: Bayern captain Manuel Neuer, DFB Cup winner with Rangnick’s Schalke team in 2011; Joshua Kimmich, whose great sponsor was Rangnick in Leipzig; Konrad Laimer, once Rangnick’s RB addition and currently an Austrian national player under the German coach; Defender Dayot Upamecano, also Rangnick’s dream signing in Leipzig; Sports director Christoph Freund, Rangnick’s right-hand man at Red Bull Salzburg for three years.
- FC Bayern Munich wanted to get Rangnick back in 2019 when he and Hoffenheim played in the cup final against Bayern under Niko Kovač – and lost. Hoeneß later said that Bayern were very close to bringing in Rangnick as Kovač’s successor – but he saved himself by winning the cup.
What speaks against Ralf Rangnick at FC Bayern:
- He has never coached a club of the caliber of FC Bayern Munich on a long-term basis.
- At many of his previous positions, Rangnick was virtually the sporting autocrat. That will be difficult on Säbener Straße: Can so many people in charge with big egos work together successfully? Especially since Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge are involved in the background.
- All of football Germany knows that Rangnick was at most Bayern’s third choice. He faces a team that has failed two much younger top coaches. Does Rangnick have enough energy and authority to turn this team around?
With the dismissal of Julian Nagelsmann, the hiring of Thomas Tuchel and the consideration of bringing Nagelsmann back, those in charge have damaged FC Bayern’s reputation. The time for experiments is over.