Bayern Munich’s pursuit of Ralf Rangnick as their next manager has hit a roadblock, according to reports. The former Manchester United interim manager was rumored to be the frontrunner to replace Thomas Tuchel, who is set to leave Bayern at the end of the season. However, it appears that Rangnick has turned down the opportunity to take charge of the German giants.
The news has been met with mixed reactions from Bayern supporters. Some have launched a petition urging the club to stick with Tuchel, arguing that he is a superior option to Rangnick. This development comes as a blow to Bayern, who have faced several setbacks in their search for Tuchel’s successor.
Initially, Bayern tried to lure Xabi Alonso from their Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen. However, the Spaniard opted to stay put after receiving an approach from Liverpool as well. Bayern’s pursuit of Julian Nagelsmann also fell through when their former manager extended his contract with the German national team.
Unai Emery, another target for Bayern, signed a new deal with Aston Villa, further complicating the club’s search for a new manager. As a result, Bayern turned their attention to Rangnick and began talks with him. However, it now seems that Rangnick will remain in charge of the Austrian national team instead.
Rangnick is best known to English football fans for his brief stint as interim manager at Manchester United in 2021. However, his time at United was underwhelming, and he left the club when Erik ten Hag was appointed as manager. Cristiano Ronaldo publicly criticized Rangnick’s managerial abilities, calling him “not even a coach.”
Following his departure from United, Rangnick took over as manager of the Austrian national team. Under his leadership, Austria has secured qualification for the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament, where they will face tough opponents such as France, Poland, and the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel is aiming to end his tenure at Bayern on a high note by winning the Champions League. Tuchel, who achieved success in the competition with Chelsea in 2021, saw his team draw 2-2 at home against Real Madrid in the first leg of their semi-final. The tie is finely poised, with Bayern needing a strong performance in the return leg at the Bernabeu.
As for Ralf Rangnick, his managerial career has seen him take charge of various clubs in Germany. He has had spells at Stuttgart, Hannover, Schalke, Hoffenheim, and RB Leipzig. He has also had a brief stint at Manchester United before taking over the Austrian national team. Throughout his career, Rangnick has won several trophies, including the Bundesliga 2, German Cup, German Super Cup, and German League Cup.
While Bayern’s pursuit of Rangnick may have fallen through, the club will continue their search for a new manager as they look to maintain their status as one of Europe’s top teams. The decision to stick with Tuchel or pursue other candidates remains to be seen, but Bayern will undoubtedly be looking for a proven manager who can lead them to further success.