Ralf Rangnick and FC Bayern – that would be a very attractive constellation. Their paths crossed often. About taunts from the village, Schalke victories and an RB connection.
Some things just take time. Ralf Rangnick, for example, has been in German football for decades, celebrating success with village clubs and larger teams. Ultimately, the coach and manager had to be almost 66 years old to be offered a job at Germany’s biggest club, FC Bayern Munich.
The record champions have made the current Austrian national coach an offer to move to the Isar in the summer and moderate the announced change. Even though the Swabian has never been employed at Säbener Strasse, his path and that of the Bavarians have crossed again and again over the years. Sometimes there were small verbal skirmishes. Rangnick’s self-confidence and successes have sometimes been viewed critically in Munich in the past.
Ralf Rangnick and his previous contacts with FC Bayern:
League debut against Bayern and almost ruined the championship
Rangnick took over relegation-threatened VfB Stuttgart in May 1999 and experienced his Bundesliga debut against Bayern, who spoiled his debut with a 2-0 win. The following season, the young coach took revenge and won both away and at home against the Munich team. Because of these two bankruptcies, Bayern are on the verge of losing the championship – but in the end they are celebrating on the last day of the match thanks to rival Leverkusen’s mistake in Unterhaching.
On par with Schalke – just not until the end
Since there is nothing to gain for Rangnick as coach of Hannover 96, he is very close to the top of the league in his first year as Schalke coach. He won the direct duels 1-0 and even took over the top of the table in March 2005. After that, hardly anything worked for the Royal Blues and Munich still confidently celebrated the title. At the crowning conclusion of the season, the coach made it to his first DFB Cup final – but even there Bayern retained the upper hand with 2-1.
Taunts from the village
With the village club 1899 Hoffenheim, Rangnick shakes up the league as a newcomer and even wins the autumn championship in 2008. In Advent there is a David versus Goliath duel, which Rangnick heats up with a taunt in advance. “If you want to hear quick sayings, you have to go to Munich. If you want to see quick football, Hoffenheim is the right place for you,” he says. Of course, such provocations really stink at Uli Hoeneß and after the 2-1 win, the Bayern boss countered: “I appreciate the Hoffenheim model. If there’s one thing I would worry about, it would be Ralf Rangnick’s know-it-all attitude.”
No Bayern commitment after final defeat
At RB Leipzig, Rangnick is a little closer to the leader from Munich – at least when it comes to financial requirements. In terms of sport, there is nothing to celebrate for the Saxons with the Württemberger on the sidelines. He has a great chance in the 2019 DFB Cup final, which he then loses 3-0. Doubly annoying for Rangnick: As a clear loser, he can avoid a move to Munich. Hoeneß later said that Bayern were very close to bringing in Rangnick as Niko Kovač’s successor – but he saved himself by winning the final.
Rangnick and the Munich RB connection
Rangnick and FC Bayern don’t just have to deal with each other in direct duels. A number of former players and the current FCB sports director are already showing the veteran and going to Säbener Straße. A selection: Bayern captain Manuel Neuer, DFB Cup winner with Rangnick’s Schalke team in 2011; Joshua Kimmich, whose great sponsor is Rangnick in Leipzig; Konrad Laimer, once Rangnick’s RB addition and currently an Austrian national player under the German coach; Defender Dayot Upamecano, also Rangnick’s dream signing in Leipzig; Sports director Christoph Freund, Rangnick’s right-hand man at Red Bull Salzburg for three years.
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
