MANCHESTER UNITED target Ralf Rangnick is a ‘merchant’ who only cares about money according to the former Lokomotiv Moscow president.
Rangnick, 63, is set to be appointed Man Utd’s new interim manager following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer earlier this week, according to reports.
But former Lokomotiv Moscow president Nikolai Naumov has accused Rangnick of not ‘caring about football’ and argues that he is only interested in money.
In a sensational rant to Match TV, Naumov claimed: “It’s not about Manchester. For Rangnick, this is no escape, betrayal, or disgrace. Rangnick is a merchant.
“He absolutely does not care about football, because he only does business around him.
“And the more countries, leagues and football clubs he covers, the more he will earn.
“He’s absolutely indifferent to Lokomotiv. He did not come here to raise football, but to earn money.
“Now he was offered money elsewhere, and he and his company will go to United.
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“When he’s offered to work in Africa, he will go to earn money there, leaving his deputy at Manchester United. Clean business.”
It comes after reports surfaced this week that the German is on the verge of signing a six-month deal at Old Trafford to become their new interim manager.
Rangnick has previously managed the likes of RB Leipzig, Schalke, Hoffenheim, Hannover and Stuttgart – all in his native Germany.
The influential manager only signed a three-year contract as the manager of sports and development for Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow in July this year.
He has previously been director of football for RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig in 2012, and led the German club all the way from the fourth tier to the Bundesliga.
Rangnick is said to have turned down an initial proposal to become United’s new interim manager, amid claims he was not interested in a temporary position.
But was persuaded by the prospect of taking up a director’s role once the club make a long-term appointment.
Rangnick is renowned for unearthing unknown gems that go on to become world class players, including the likes of Erling Haaland and Joshua Kimmich.
And he is also known for his intense, high-pressing footballing philosophy, having inspired the likes of Thomas Tuchel, Jurgen Klopp and Julian Nagelsmann.
Klopp describes Rangnick as ‘one of the best, if not the best German coach’ in world football, having been the pioneer of the ‘Gegenpressing’ style of play.
Nicknamed ‘The Professor’, Rangnick was one of the first to implement the now popular tactic where teams immediately press the opposition after losing the ball.
And it is believed that despite having only 24 hours to prepare for his interview at Man Utd, the Old Trafford chiefs were blown away by what they heard.
Although Rangnick’s appointment appears to be imminent, caretaker manager Michael Carrick will take charge their game against Chelsea on Sunday.
And Rangnick is reported to be in the UK finalising a work permit that will enable him to take charge of the club in time for their game against Arsenal next week.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
