That was fast. Less than three hours after the announcement that Ralf Rangnick (63) would become Austria’s new national team coach, the German was already being severely criticized. And from England. From where Rangnick is currently still on the sidelines at Manchester United and where he will continue to work as a consultant in the future.
This dual role is a source of incomprehension for United legend Gary Neville (47, 599 games for ManUtd). «The sporting director or advisor of Manchester United can really look at Austrian players week after week? And then pick them for the national team?” Neville asks on his Sky Sports podcast.
“There is a conflict”
And further: “The Austrian national team has some great players, so he has to watch players all week, then he will train them for two weeks in September, October, November and March. What happens to his work at United then? Where’s the priority? There is a conflict there.”
Do both jobs? You can’t, says Neville. «A team boss has to be present week after week, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Tuesday. He can’t be at Old Trafford every week and watch an Austrian player.”
That’s how it gets “chaotic,” says the former world-class defender. Neville: “Manchester United can’t afford at the moment to have distractions and a bad communication plan around the idea of Ralf Rangnick being our advisor but watching German football three times a month and coaching the Austrian national team twice a month.” (mum)
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