Press
Ralf Rangnick is the new favorite at FC Bayern for the head coach position. In the past, the ÖFB coach has had one or two verbal battles with Uli Hoeneß.
Munich – Ralf Rangnick should fix it. FC Bayern seems to have agreed on the Austrian national coach as Thomas Tuchel’s successor. Whether this was done out of conviction or a lack of alternatives remains the bosses’ secret.
Rangnick and Hoeneß: Two alpha animals meet
But one thing seems clear: for a long time it seemed unthinkable that Rangnick would ever be seriously considered as the new Bayern coach. The 65-year-old has had one or two verbal battles with patriarch Uli Hoeneß in recent years.
In 2004, the Swabian formed FC Schalke 04 into championship candidates and Bayern rivals, which prompted Uli Hoeneß to comment on the Knappen’s personnel policy. Rangnick’s counter: “I don’t think those in charge need someone to point out from 500 kilometers that we have to be careful.”
Rangnick and Hoeneß exchange blows
The two alpha animals became even clearer in 2008. Rangnick led TSG Hoffenheim to promotion to the Bundesliga in order to immediately cause a sensation there. As newcomers, the Kraichgau team secured the autumn championship. Rangnick’s message towards the German record champions and Hoeneß: “If you want to hear quick sayings, you have to go to Munich, if you want to see quick football, you have to go to Hoffenheim.”
The Bayern patriarch didn’t let that sit and countered with a one-two: “If I’m worried about Hoffenheim’s development – which I see very positively – then it’s Ralf Rangnick’s know-it-all attitude. He does great in the first year and gets fired in the second.”
Rangnick once quit as TSG coach because of Bayern
Rangnick wasn’t fired; the football teacher, who is also known here and there as “Professor”, quit on his own accord on New Year’s Day 2011 – also because of Bayern. Shortly before his contract was terminated, the German record champions had signed Luiz Gustavo, whose departure Rangnick had previously vehemently resisted.
A lot of time has passed since then. Both Hoeneß and Rangnick are probably no longer quite as hot-blooded as they were back then. As early as 2016, the Bayern patriarch apologized after declaring war on RB Leipzig, to which Rangnick commented: “I don’t think he would have done that three, four or five years ago.”
And the football teacher himself is also slacking off tz-Information now applies a certain leniency. Gone are the days of being a control freak. Uli Hoeneß will be happy… (kk)