Ralf Rangnick is rumoured to be on the verge of joining FC Bayern. Should he actually give up his job with the Austrian national team and move to Munich, this could have consequences for some players.
After FC Bayern presented him with an offer ready to sign, according to media reports, Ralf Rangnick does not seem to be far away from becoming Thomas Tuchel’s successor. Should he actually become coach of the German record champions after the European Championships, he would be facing a squad that he already knows very well, at least in part.
Among others, Joshua Kimmich would welcome him to Säbener Straße. The two have known and appreciated each other for over ten years; after all, Rangnick was once a mentor of sorts for Bayern’s leading player. The ÖFB coach even saw him as the future captain of FC Bayern after his move from Stuttgart and recently publicly backed him.
The 65-year-old also thinks highly of Leon Goretzka. The midfielder, who has recently returned to better form, was described by him some time ago as the „best box-to-box player in the world“. Konrad Laimer would probably not have to worry about playing time under Rangnick either. After all, the Austrian is an absolute regular in the national team under him and was brought to RB Leipzig from Salzburg in 2017.
Will Upamecano find his old strength under Rangnick?
Dayot Upamecano, another old acquaintance from Leipzig, describes his first meeting with Rangnick as the most important moment of his career. When Rangnick left Leipzig in 2019, Upamecano said: „It’s hard for me not to be able to work with him anymore“. It is therefore quite possible that a reunion between the two could lead to an upturn in the Frenchman’s performance.
Rangnick is also convinced by club legends Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer. While he promoted Neuer to Schalke’s first team in 2005 and described him early on as the best goalkeeper in the world, the opportunity to train Müller was taken away from him by Hermann Gerland and Uli Hoeneß in 2008. The two prevented the young Müller from moving to Hoffenheim. Leroy Sané is another player who Rangnick is said to have found interesting even before his time at Schalke.
All in all, there are many players who could feel comfortable under him. Nevertheless, he is also convinced that a change is imminent in the summer. It remains to be seen who exactly will be affected.
