If Manchester United win the Champions League this season, Ralf Rangnick will be given the post permanently.
According to former United striker Louis Saha, Chelsea’s victory in the competition last year proves that the Red Devils can win it again this year. Despite being hired midway through the season to replace Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel led Chelsea to the title last season.
Rangnick took over as temporary manager when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was fired in December, and he will step down and become a consultant at the end of the season. United is looking for a new permanent manager and expects to have one in place before the end of the season.
However, leading contenders Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag are both already employed by major teams, making this problematic. Alternatives may need to be examined, and one is to extend Rangnick’s contract beyond his original six months.
With United and Atletico Madrid at 1-1 after the first leg of their last-16 meeting in Spain, winning the Champions League would surely boost his chances. Rangnick would have the job, Saha feels, if he could pull off the inconceivable victory.
“It’s not certain that Rangnick will not be in charge of United this summer,” Saha told William Hill. “If Ralf wins the Champions League, he’ll stay on as coach.”
“Yes, there is fear about him, since he began off well and many people hoped he would stay, but now United aren’t performing so well… However, the press and fans are only talking. For Rangnick, it’s all about the numbers.”
“This season, Rangnick and United have a chance to win the Champions League.” Chelsea won it despite not being particularly good in the beginning half of the season. I don’t think their team was particularly strong, yet they managed to win. They had finally discovered a foundation that could not be beaten. They weren’t particularly strong offensively, but they still won the Champions League.
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“Of course, it relies on the draw for United because you might be tested by it, but it’s a competition where you have to be good on the day and have some great players who can impress on the day, which they do.”
