Ralf Rangnick | ex-interim manager | does anyone rate him?

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Nordmore

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Some people are already giving up on him. I knew it would start but didnt think it will start 4 games in. Fascinating.
I don't think anyone already give up on him. But a big question I've asked in many threads without any reply is could anyone tell me what was our plan?

At least with Moyes I know he's in for crosses, did his best to make us look like prime Everton. With LVG it's dumb possession football with a high dose of sedative for the spectators. With Jose it's everyone stay back and some long balls. With Ole it's quick transition and "freedom to express".

I don't mind us losing. I don't mind us playing badly. But I do mind when literally no one would have an idea what was our plan watching us play.
 

Pogue Mahone

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It was always going to be difficult to implement such a big change in style. Yes, Conte has done it at Spurs, but usually it takes a while to change a system. I am worried just how much we haven't changed in the last few weeks - yesterday was horrendous against a very poor Newcastle.
RR has to take some responsibility though - his reliance on Rashford is beyond understanding. He must do some sensational stuff on the training ground to be constantly in the matchday squad.
Spurs are just going through the same post-Mourinho bounce we went through under Ole. He’s such a toxic, negative presence during the managerial end game his teams always play like they’ve had a weight off their shoulders under the next manager, whoever that may be.

Completely different scenario to sacking a popular (albeit slightly inept) manager like Ole.
 

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I don't think anyone already give up on him. But a big question I've asked in many threads without any reply is could anyone tell me what was our plan?

At least with Moyes I know he's in for crosses, did his best to make us look like prime Everton. With LVG it's dumb possession football with a high dose of sedative for the spectators. With Jose it's everyone stay back and some long balls. With Ole it's quick transition and "freedom to express".

I don't mind us losing. I don't mind us playing badly. But I do mind when literally no one would have an idea what was our plan watching us play.
I dont think plan is so simple you can see it all after 3 games. One of the things he's trying to implement is a press and that isnt something you drill in over night especially when you have a long break with no training.
 

youmeletsfly

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People are jumping on his back already, boy how the United fans turned into fecking scousers.

Ole and his useless coaching staff couldn't coach these players properly in 3 years, fecking 3, and you blame a guy after 4 weeks? This fanbase is going downhill, and fast.

Also it's obvious we play like shit because he over trains them, they look fecking gassed and I'm happy they do, disregarding we win or not. I still think, deep down, the issue is that our players have attitude issues, completely proven by Rashford last night. (who, for the first 30 minutes did jack shit, wasn't even bothered to follow a player and then, Ralf called him over on the touchline, gave him a bollocking and surprise, Marcus Rashford can press and follow his man).
 

KeanoMagicHat

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That’s what happens when you replace a manager the players hate. Suddenly they start trying again. The players didn’t hate Ole. They always tried for him (hence we had so many come from behind victories) So we were never going to get the easy bounce we saw after sacking Mourinho.

If anything, sacking a popular figure like Ole could destabilise us for a few weeks. We’ve also lost Carrick and McKenna in quick succession.

What the players need (and didn’t get under Ole) is world class coaching and a coherent, consistent approach to every game. This will obviously take much longeto produce any clear improvement than simply sacking a toxic presence like Mourinho.
Man United's team against Liverpool (that got Mourinho sacked) was:

De Gea
Dalot Lindelof Bailly Darmian Young
Matic Herrera Lingard
Rashford Lukaku

Team against Cardiff in Ole's first game was:

De Gea
Young Lindelof Jones Shaw
Matic Herrera Pogba
Martial Rashford Lingard

I can't remember how many of them were injury related, but that's a big chance to personnel and emphasis. Particularly with 3 players - Pogba, Martial and Shaw, all talented players that were marginalised by Mourinho and hated him the most. Ole brings them all back in with a bang. Also Martial for Lukaku is a clear move towards more fluid and quick attacking football than Lukaku at that point in their careers.

---

Since Rangnick arrived, he has changed the full-backs, but his last team front 6 was:

Greenwood McTominay Fred Fernandes
Ronaldo Rashford

What was Ole's front 6 vs Liverpool that lost 5-0?

McTominay Fred
Greenwood Fernandes Rashford
Ronaldo

--

Tactics have become a big part of football, but he's not a magician, you can't pick the exact same team that keeps getting outplayed, put them in a slightly different configuration and expect the results to drastically change. Ole changed the team and emphasis from when Mourinho arrived, Rangnick can't do that if he keeps picking the same teams that Ole did that failed spectacularly.
 

Nou_Camp99

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He's still picking all the same players that people wanted dropping.

This isn't quite the revolution people had hoped for.

McFred still in team. Donny is still in exile. Rashford not dropped. Ronaldo still not running. Maguire still captain and useless.

What the hell has changed? I know you can't expect miracles after 4 weeks but I haven't noticed any difference at all.

Can't wait for this season to be over tbh. It's an absolute shambles and it's going to end that way too. These owners need to get this club back to where it needs to be or feck off back to where they belong.
 

Pogue Mahone

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Man United's team against Liverpool (that got Mourinho sacked) was:

De Gea
Dalot Lindelof Bailly Darmian Young
Matic Herrera Lingard
Rashford Lukaku

Team against Cardiff in Ole's first game was:

De Gea
Young Lindelof Jones Shaw
Matic Herrera Pogba
Martial Rashford Lingard

I can't remember how many of them were injury related, but that's a big chance to personnel and emphasis. Particularly with 3 players - Pogba, Martial and Shaw, all talented players that were marginalised by Mourinho and hated him the most. Ole brings them all back in with a bang. Also Martial for Lukaku is a clear move towards more fluid and quick attacking football than Lukaku at that point in their careers.

---

Since Rangnick arrived, he has changed the full-backs, but his last team front 6 was:

Greenwood McTominay Fred Fernandes
Ronaldo Rashford

What was Ole's front 6 vs Liverpool that lost 5-0?

McTominay Fred
Greenwood Fernandes Rashford
Ronaldo

--

Tactics have become a big part of football, but he's not a magician, you can't pick the exact same team that keeps getting outplayed, put them in a slightly different configuration and expect the results to drastically change. Ole changed the team and emphasis from when Mourinho arrived, Rangnick can't do that if he keeps picking the same teams that failed spectacularly.
Who are the top quality players waiting in the wings - frozen out by Ole - that Rangnick could have picked to turn things round when Ole left?
 

Nordmore

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I dont think plan is so simple you can see it all after 3 games. One of the things he's trying to implement is a press and that isnt something you drill in over night especially when you have a long break with no training.
I don't ask for the all, but only the general idea. And not for the three matches only the last match.

To my untrained eyes tbh I couldn't see any. That's why I asked in hope someone would answer that.

Maybe as you said it's too complicated for us commoners to see.
 

Giggsyking

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He has managed only 3 games in the league. He needs time to implement his ideas and tactics, cant be overnight. At the same time he is assessing who of this group of players will be suitable for the next chapter being him or another manager (like Ten Hag or Poch).
 

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I don’t think Rangnick will make top four this season, but that’s down to the previous squad building and these players, as a collective, not really being suited to his football. I think he’ll know a lot about this squad by the end of the season and should be given power to doing something radical, even if that involves giving Ronaldo and Maguire away at low cost. I’ve got a feeling though that Ralph will end up not getting much power in his “consultancy role”, especially if results go badly.
 
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Dare I say it that I think the whole team needs a clear out from back to front. Keep DDG and start from there. It won’t happen though and It ain’t happening overnight.
 

yamo123x

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Those who are already doubting RR need to look hard at this bunch of players.

We have a new manager with new backroom, this transition isn't going to happen overnight... but the players are letting the fans down, most of them don't look bothered.
 

Andycoleno9

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Where did I specify anything about magic? I’m looking for a bit of visible improvement on the pitch, a bit of hope. So far it’s been complete shite.

Under Ole we smashed Cardiff in his first game, with a much worse squad, and kept that new manager bounce up for a good few months.
Because Ole inherited team which was coached and didn't had fitness problem. Problem was morale.
Ragnick inherited completely uncoached team with major fitness issues. That can't be fixed in a few months.
 

Dan_F

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You're welcome to do that. Post the comments you think are shocking.
I didn’t really understand the post match comments from last night. He seemed to suggest the body language was fine and it was physicality that cost us. I understand that what he says and what he actually thinks are two different things, but not at any point last night did I think the reason behind us losing was the physicality.

The only way for Newcastle to get something from that game was to leave ourselves open on the break, and we did it time after time. Then at half time he decides to take off a midfielder and leave McTominay in there by himself :lol:

The game didn’t require that change at all. We had 70% possession, I didn’t see anything wrong with us being able to win the ball back, we were just completely lost when trying to figure out what to do with it.
 
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He needs to be more bold when it comes to his team selection. Apart from changing the FBs he hasn't changed much. Maguire, Bruno and Rashford need to spend time on bench and he needs to stop playing McFred.
 

Real Name

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I don't ask for the all, but only the general idea. And not for the three matches only the last match.

To my untrained eyes tbh I couldn't see any. That's why I asked in hope someone would answer that.

Maybe as you said it's too complicated for us commoners to see.
Maybe and probably.
 

Ixion

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I didn’t really understand the post match comments from last night. He seemed to suggest the body language was fine and it was physicality that cost us. I understand that what he says and what he actually thinks are two different things, but not at any point last night did I think the reason behind us losing was the physicality.

The only way for Newcastle to get something from that game was to leave ourselves open on the break, and we did it time after time. Then at half time he decides to take off a midfielder and leave McTominay in there by himself :lol:

The game didn’t require that change at all. We had 70% possession, I didn’t see anything wrong with us being able to win the ball back, we were just completely lost when trying to figure out what to do with it.
I need to watch it again but I think he clarified slightly by physicality he meant pressing, lack of energy. Too many players jogging around.
 

Steve 007

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Spurs are just going through the same post-Mourinho bounce we went through under Ole. He’s such a toxic, negative presence during the managerial end game his teams always play like they’ve had a weight off their shoulders under the next manager, whoever that may be.

Completely different scenario to sacking a popular (albeit slightly inept) manager like Ole.
I think Conte is fantastic but self disruptive coach, great for 1-2 seasons. We didn’t hire him, but his first 4 results didn’t exactly tear up trees. 3-2 europa, a 0-0 draw to Everton, a 2-1 win vs Leeds and losing to a team none of us ever heard of in the europa league. Rangnick has been here 3 weeks and had so much covid disruption. He has 7 points from 9, ok it is 3 teams we should beat but it’s not going to happen over night.

He needs to somehow get Rashford, Bruno and Sancho back to their best and see Varane get sharp. If we do this we’ll be fine.
 
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The United

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That’s what happens when you replace a manager the players hate. Suddenly they start trying again. The players didn’t hate Ole. They always tried for him (hence we had so many come from behind victories) So we were never going to get the easy bounce we saw after sacking Mourinho.

If anything, sacking a popular figure like Ole could destabilise us for a few weeks. We’ve also lost Carrick and McKenna in quick succession.

What the players need (and didn’t get under Ole) is world class coaching and a coherent, consistent approach to every game. This will obviously take much longer to produce any clear improvement than simply sacking a toxic presence like Mourinho.
Good points.

Not sure if we are getting that world class coaching from this guy though.
 

DanielofLeyland

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The focus needs to be on team building. When you play for Man Utd there will always be expectation even if we do not look close to winning things. I feel team morale is at an all time low and confidence is shot to pieces.

When this happens, you look to the leaders on the field for a response. Maguire works hard but is never a captain. His confidence is shot and leads to nervy, abject performances that puts pressure on his partner next to him. Our younger but still experienced players like Rashford and Greenwood just switch off mentally and feel sorry for themselves. This in turn frustrates the likes of Fernandes and Ronaldo and everybody begins to whinge and moan at each other.

A lot of work is needed on playing as a team and being there for one another. We need to trust each other on the field and fight for one another. Some will do that I'm sure. Those that won't should be shipped out. No manager, formation, style or signing will improve this team if they don't play for one another on the pitch.
 
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Fahad Jawaid

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I think its essential that we go back to Shaw and AWB first of all. Because they may not be the best crossers of the ball, but both of them has the ability to run and get to the buy line and stretch the play. Shaw is also very good with his linkup play. Whereas now we have both full backs whose primary go to pass is to pass it infield to either Fred or Mctominay or go back to CB's.

Next we need a CM who can control the tempo of the match, I don't believe those players we are linked Haidara and Marseille lad, are going to give us control over the middle of the park, they are more refined versions of Fred and Mctominay and they may still take a while before getting up to rhythm of the PL.

Next is to limit the amount of players who has the tendency to give the ball away from front 4. Ronaldo, Bruno and Rashford is overkill, we need only two of these 3. Lastly, for the love of God change this formation and play Bruno just behind Ronaldo with Sancho on the left and Greenwood on the right.
 

Pogue Mahone

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I didn’t really understand the post match comments from last night. He seemed to suggest the body language was fine and it was physicality that cost us. I understand that what he says and what he actually thinks are two different things, but not at any point last night did I think the reason behind us losing was the physicality.

The only way for Newcastle to get something from that game was to leave ourselves open on the break, and we did it time after time. Then at half time he decides to take off a midfielder and leave McTominay in there by himself :lol:

The game didn’t require that change at all. We had 70% possession, I didn’t see anything wrong with us being able to win the ball back, we were just completely lost when trying to figure out what to do with it.
We finished the game with the exact same % possession we had at half time. In the first half our problem was creating chances. The subs allowed us get more creative/attacking players on the pitch while maintaining the exact same amount of possession. Job done.

Just a pity that even with every one of our most attacking/creative players on the pitch only Cavani came anywhere close to an acceptable level of individual performance.
 

Paul778

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Sigh. Rashford started yesterday was crazy. Keeping him on was crazy. You're not going to play him into form. Same with Greenwood. If they were in form it might be a harder discussion but both of them are out of form and neither of them currently offer enough out of possession.

I would have given the minutes to Elanga.
 

KeanoMagicHat

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Who are the top quality players waiting in the wings - frozen out by Ole - that Rangnick could have picked to turn things round when Ole left?
Not all frozen out but Cavani, Van de Beek and Sancho I think - Sancho is not playing amazingly well or anything and does start - but he is the only one that plays a winger like an actual winger and I think it helps the whole team's shape, so for that reason I think he has to start ahead of Greenwood every single game out wide. If you're playing Greenwood, play him as striker instead of Ronaldo.

You could also argue that Martial deserves to play more than Rashford for example on current form, but I can understand Martial being dropped after saying he wants to leave. Lingard is worth more than a few minutes. There are other options there to try, rather than keep picking the same 4 players who can't connect together whatsoever.
 

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a- this is a heavily unbalanced team with a mix of players who are clearly not good enough, lazy prima donnas, and players at the end of their career who came here for their massive pay cheque and can be bothered running. Ralph has also inherited a huge side with many egos and whose patience had ran thin

b- Geggenpressing requires ample time and the correct players for it. Klopp struggled in his first year. Rangnick lack both

c- 4-2-2-2 is something none of our players had ever seen.

d- Some players incompetence is being met by the Portuguese whingers. Neither camp are doing anything good for us

Rangnick should switch to a 4-3-3 system and get rid of as many players humanely possible. Hopefully that would free enough cash for us to add 2-3 players who are ready to do their job


That's the price you pay for letting an amateur play real life football manager.
Agree with all this, especially that he should ditch 4-2-2-2. I don’t think it’s helping him at all with this group of players. I think Ralf knows his stuff but is probably not quite as good a coach as he is a DoF. I’d imagine the mess he’s inherited, with lots of players who’ve NEVER had any significant amount of tactical coaching at first team level, is coming as a shock.

The reason why I advocated Conte was that I think he’s strong enough to override structural problems and to force a team to go his way, and he always reinvents at least one player in his squads. I think there are a lot of similarities between him and Fergie in terms of personality, much more so than the stupid “Mourinho MK2” view.
 
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MrBrightside1989

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I think the big problem we have is not having creativity in the midfield. Both Ralph and Ole are/were reluctant to use Van de Beek there. Pogba has some creativity but lacks discipline and Bruno was experimented with yesterday in the second half. When you consider the city midfield - Bernardo, Gundogan, De Bruyne- they create all the time and work extremely hard defensively too. We need a player like this, but they don't come too often.
 
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Judas

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When will people realise that Ralf has come in with fresh eyes and VDB still can't get a look in. What does that tell you. I saw some in the match day thread saying bring him on as the 6 last night, and I just can't help but laugh at the ridiculously blind faith a section of this fanbase have oddly conjured up for him.
 

yipthatman

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I'm starting to get LVG vibes with this guy.
There is a reason why he was at Locomotiv Moscow and not at a top team. I have no idea what that reason is but for me it's a red flag for sure. Saying that, I hear nothing but good things about this guy from people that know a lot more than me about football so I live in hope, again.
 
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Ixion

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When will people realise that Ralf has come in with fresh eyes and VDB still can't get a look in. What does that tell you. I saw some in the match day thread saying bring him on as the 6 last night, and I just can't help but laugh at the ridiculously blind faith a section of this fanbase have oddly conjured up for him.
Wasn't VDB one of the players that was missing from training for a couple of days this week? We don't know how the covid disruption influenced the team.

I still think its too early to analyise Ralf's preferred players, he had two back to back games and just stuck with an XI and then had training massively disrupted.
 

Leftback99

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He talks a good game but my early prediction is that he (and his MLS coaches) will lack the authority to get these players to do what he wants. They ran a bit for 20 minutes against Palace and that was them done. Their attitude stinks.
 

UpWithRivers

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I just dont know how a new manager with an expected bounce has to say we need more physicality, more presence, win the second balls, more energy. Its the basics and the players cant even do that. Yeah we can go on about formation and balance and tactics but if you cant even pass and work hard and fight then talking about anything else is pointless. We could get Klopp and Pep or any other manager but if the players just keep giving the ball away and cant fight for the ball then how do you even start becoming a good team. It frigging baffling and fking annoying. It looks like they dont give a sht but that surely cant be the true. Can it?
 
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