Ralf Rangnick to Join Milan as Head Coach & Sporting Director in Unprecedented Appointment
German coach turned sporting director Ralf Rangnick is to take over at AC Milan in the summer, as both manager and sporting director of the Italian giants in an unprecedented appointment.
Rangnick is as respected as they come in Germany, credited largely with pioneering the high-octane brand of football made famous in England by current Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
The 61-year-old's work managing Hoffenheim between 2006 and 2011 was his most impressive spell, and since first moving away from management, he has brought the role of sporting director to prominence.
He currently serves as head of sport and development for the Red Bull group which owns and operates RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls and RB Brazil.
According to Bild (as cited by Sempre Milan) however, he is to return to management with AC Milan from 2020/21, and will simultaneously undertake the behind-the-scenes duties he has become so familiar with over the years.
They say he is in 'advanced talks' to take over from Stefano Pioli next season, while he will also take over from Frederic Massara as the club's new sporting director, in a new role completely unprecedented at the highest level.
That seems like a huge workload for a man now in his 60s, but when you contextualise it with quotes dating back to the summer of 2019, it begins to make a little more sense.
Former RB Leipzig boss and current Red Bull Head of Sport and Development Ralf Rangnick is set I become AC Milan’s head coach and sporting director, according to Bild. #RBL #ACMilan
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) February 3, 2020
He was linked with the sporting director post at Manchester United, but explained to The Guardian what would have to be on offer for him to leave his current post.
Rangnick said: “I am happy where I am but if any club wanted to speak to me, the question would have to be: ‘Can I be somebody who can influence areas of development across the whole club?'
"Otherwise you are only getting half of what I am capable of. If, after that, you can work together in a trustworthy and respectful way, then you are more likely to be successful.”
Milan are in advanced talks with Ralf Rangnick. He should take over as coach and sporting director starting from next summer https://t.co/kPf0z2V2Sz
— CHAMPIONS OF ITALY 🏆 (@MilanEye) February 3, 2020
It seems that Milan are in fact offering what he is looking for in a new job: total and complete control over all footballing matters.
Let's wait and see if he laces the boots back up too.
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