Ralf Rangnick was a name linked with Tottenham Hotspur during their managerial hunt, but he’s now made a surprise move.
Rangnick has been one of the great minds of German football in recent times, even being named as the inspiration behind Jurgen Klopp’s style at Liverpool.
Everton were keen, Tottenham even held talks with Rangnick as they looked towards him to replace Jose Mourinho. There was even talk of him combining managerial duties with being a director of football at Tottenham.
In the end, Tottenham landed Nuno Espirito Santo and Fabio Paratici whilst Everton brought in Rafael Benitez, leaving Rangnick without a job.
What’s interesting is that Rangnick has only held two managerial jobs since leaving Schalke in 2011, and both were one-season stints as interim boss of RB Leipzig.
Rangnick’s focus has been as head of football at Red Bull, overseeing all of the drink company’s football interests – but now he’s taking a different path.
The 63-year-old has now told Suddeutsche Zeitung that he is forming his own football consultancy and recruitment firm – and he already has his first client.
Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow have announced that Rangnick is their new head of sports and development for the next three years, supplying them with players for the coming years.
“One of the best specialists in the world in football education and player development, renowned coach and mentor Ralph Rangnick was appointed head of sports and development of FC Lokomotiv for a period of three years,” the statement read.
Red Bull really benefited from Rangnick’s eye for talent, and it will be fascinating to see how Lokomotiv develop over the coming years after Tottenham and Everton passed on the chance to land Rangnick.
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