Pundit hails ‘huge’ Man United call after ‘very clever’ Rangnick hire
Noel Whelan has hailed Manchester United for agreeing to hand Ralf Rangnick a consultancy role when his spell as interim manager comes to an end.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 63-year-old would have a “huge” impact on and off the pitch at Old Trafford beyond his time in the dugout.
United confirmed on Monday (29th November) Rangnick has been appointed interim manager until the end of the season.
The Red Devils have agreed the German will also continue as a consultant for a further two years.
Whelan heralded the appointment and insisted keeping Rangnick in a senior role was a “very clever” move.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I think it’s really important that it’s not just the interim position. That’s just one part of the deal.
“I think the other part of the deal, because he’s played that role before as technical director will be something that is very clever from Manchester United.
“Interim now, working with the team, finding those jigsaw pieces and putting them in the right areas. Building that team ethic, building that standard of defending, continuity between the players.
“Then passing it over to somebody who is going to come in and they can then work together. Two heads are better than one.
“When you’ve got a head like his, he leaves no stone unturned, a very clever philosopher in the game. That is huge.
“This is huge and it’s a great route they’re going down.”
Rangnick left his post as Lokomotiv Moscow’s head of sports and development to move to Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick took over as caretaker manager following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s exit.
In other news, Kieran Maguire slams Ed Woodward talks with Boris Johnson after ‘very strange’ development at Manchester United.