Ralf Rangnick’s high-flying Austria are proving he was never the problem at Man Utd

When Manchester United appointed Ralf Rangnick as interim manager for the final six months of the 2021/22 campaign, it was with the intention of the revered ‘club builder’ steadying the ship and then staying as a consultant once a new permanent boss was chosen.

That never happened. Before the end of his time as United boss, Rangnick had already agreed a deal to become new Austria head coach and he made sure that would be his full focus after trying to initiate necessary change in Manchester but failing to be heard.

When he first arrived, a brief bounce period saw United lose just one of his first 13 Premier League games in charge. Yet the wheels soon fell off and the team finished the season with six defeats in their final 11 outings. Sixth place and a lowest final points tally since 1989/90.

During the run-in, Rangnick’s team conceded four against Manchester City, four against Liverpool and three against Arsenal, as well as four against Brighton & Hove Albion in a particular low point. It took the league tally of goals against to 57 in 38 games, the club’s worst in the Premier League era and worst overall in more than 40 years (until 2023/24). Their 12 league defeats also matched the club’s record for most in the Premier League era (again, until 2023/24).

By April, Rangnick was increasingly vocal in public about changes that were needed if United were to succeed. Most famously, he declared that “open heart surgery” on the squad was required.

Fans appreciated his honesty. The players he believed weren’t good enough did not.

Rangnick had to deal with several instances of unrest during his brief reign at Old Trafford. Although known for a particular footballing philosophy that underpinned his work in the Red Bull family, where he was first sporting director for both Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig and later head of sports and development for the entire global football operation, Rangnick had to abandon it in Manchester because he couldn’t get through to players who disliked his methods and management.

An apparent refusal to listen to him led to the results falling off a cliff.

Although football director John Murtough was ready and willing to take advice and input, to the point where some players were mystified as to Rangnick’s influence and recommendation of Erik ten Hag, the German can be forgiven for realising that he was ultimately wasting his time.

Since taking over Austria, he…