WHO is Ralf Rangnick? | A trip back in time

Ralf Rangnick is dubbed 'The Football professor'. Jürgen Klopp fears him, Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann admire him, and we have spoken to him countless times over two decades. We'll show you who the real Ralf Rangnick is. From his early days at Ulm to Hoffenheim, Leipzig and Man United. Will he become the new Bayern Munich coach? This is the real story of Ralf Rangnick.
Report by: Max Merrill
Edit: Andreas Hyronimus
ـــــ
DW Kick Off! provides you with a unique glimpse into the game that has captivated millions of fans across the world. We explore football stories ranging from fan culture, great sporting moments, tactical analysis, and the politics behind the game. Subscribe and delve into the football world with DW Kick Off!
▸ subscribe: goo.gl/Y799RK
▸ help us create subtitles: goo.gl/fz2L61
▸ our channel: / dwkickoff
More football stories here:
Twitter: / dw_sports
Website: dw.com/sports
We kindly ask viewers to read and stick to the DW netiquette policy on our channel: p.dw.com/p/MF1G

[@UnitedPeoplesTV]

Superb video this 👏

[@Eric-yp7ho]

Your favorite German. I love your videos/channel.

[@manutdfanGH]

I see you Sam

[@craiganthony1069]

Quality video

[@allin1ayan430]

Love ❤ u sam

[@etc_be_a_62harshshinde66]

Loved the video but unitedPeopleTV made me fall in love with this man how lucky are we fans to him at Manchester United

[@cognition5744]

Great stuff DW! A lot of people never see the setbacks and hardships behind people’s success and I’m glad you brought that out about Rangnick.

[@veradzomeku1950]

I love when he said celebrate with the one who gave the assist. Great coach

[@seplayer]

Ralf led my home team Hannover 96 to the Bundesliga again after a long time. He is a legend here.

[@buffalosowljah373]

glad to hear that.. but and do you really think he can win trophies with man utd .this is another level compared to lower division german leagues

[@seplayer]

@@buffalosowljah373 he also was the man who built up RB Leipzig. btw Tuchel and Kloppo also began pretty much lowkey in comparison to today.

[@dawutz3953]

I was in the stadium in Ulm back in the days, great times. I just was around 10 years old and it changed my life just looking at practice and games. Momentum Driving.

[@tanvirmahtabarpan]

Unleash the Rangnick’s reds, let them run the riot. Mark my words, Ralf Rangnick and co will triumph and bring back the glory days to the theater of dreams. Trust his process and dream on!

[@dapurofficer7934]

You sound like Arsenal fans... you will find a lot of point for his failure in Manchester United. Mark my words. Qualify for Conference League next season and play in UCL Semi Final will be great success for Manchester United for this season.

[@zaddygal3725]

@@dapurofficer7934 UCL is tough but we stand a chance. Premier league top 4 is the only visit

[@TylerDurden-td2yg]

Usually i would agree. But the competion is just crazy. Chelsea with Tuchel. Liverpool with Klopp and Manchester City with Guardiola will be top 3. A 4th place would be a good result for Manchester United this season. Tottenham with Conte is getting better and better and West Ham United keeps the pace up

[@barbaraedwards4802]

You got it right at the end my friend, DREAM ON lol

[@sportshd6851]

I want man United to give him 5 year contract who is with meh

[@werther6660]

He's just the man Manchester United needs to get back on the path to success.

[@chaitanyak.n.4768]

utd had an even better tactician at the helm 3 years ago. Its the board thats the problem, they need to back the manager with what HE wants.

[@maximilian4390]

How many times have we heard this?

[@barbaraedwards4802]

What's he won? 1 german Cup! Wow wee lol

[@RobHel]

@@barbaraedwards4802 just like Tuchel... But he built up RB Leipzig and later RB sports worldwide. He built up TSG and RB Leipzig from 3rd and 6th league to an Euro League participant and in case of RBL to German vice champ and CL participant. His greatest skill is building teams and clubs from ground up!

[@nosakhareanthony5677]

@@barbaraedwards4802 What did Tuchel win before Chelsea? Oh i know, Ligue 1😂

[@ChaiwithGarry]

Great video! It is great to understand that Ralf's strength lies more towards building the foundation of football clubs. The key question is if United will give him the keys to their kingdom

[@friskyisland786]

It they do, we are in for a treat

[@TMM-N]

Glazer giving him blank cheque? Dream on

[@kingwata1]

Ragnick needs championship team not big clubs

[@ZolaMagic25]

Can't see it working out that way with the clown Woodward around. He'll be gone at the end of the season

[@ulancelot]

So interesting to see how German coaches are dominating the modern football. I followed carrier growths of Klopp and Tuchel when I used to live in Germany, close to Mainz. Also how Ralph built up a stable Bundesliga team Hoffenheim and they even became the winter champions in their first Bundesliga season. Same with RB Leipzig and Salzburg. I know Ralf is going to coach till the end of the 2021-22 season and then move on to clubs manager position. I don't think he will stay long, but I'm pretty sure he will bring MU to the top 4 teams in Premier League and put the foundation for the following successes.

[@kushagrajain6644]

This aged like milk

[@lordego414]

@@kushagrajain6644 wym? We're in the top 4

[@kushagrajain6644]

@@lordego414 yeah, but Tottenham and arsenal have games in hand over you

[@rockyndance2813]

See clearly you know nothing 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👍🐒🐒🐒👍🐒😂👍🐒👍😂👍😂👍😂👍🐒😂🐒😂😂🐒🐒

[@mrxijinping8249]

Famous last words lol

[@hoangcuong6039]

Someone may doubt him as a coach, but no one should doubt him as a manager. His vision in constructing small clubs into badasses is incredible 🤘

[@dwkickoff]

Correct, Hoang, but the situation now looks more like the one he was in at Schalke: trying to pump life into a big club. Will he be able to do it this time around?

[@dinisfonseca6305]

Wrong,he won his first major title in 2005 when he was at Schalke and won the german league cup,in 2002 he won the second division with Hannover,although that might not be a major title

[@RobHel]

League cup also isn't major title, dude! It was a pretty season tournament, which meant little to nothing. Not saying, he wasn't a good manager back then. But these "titles" are not major!

[@dinisfonseca6305]

@@RobHel those are major titles in other countries,just like they should be in Germany

[@barbaraedwards4802]

Hannover, wow there's a name to get Europe's elite quaking in their boots lol

[@marcelohendrix6139]

it’s 2021

[@liamdias2051]

He's not a king like pep klopp or tuchel he's a kingmaker who makes kings

[@barbaraedwards4802]

He's not a football manager, he's a shrink lmao

[@barbaraedwards4802]

Coaches are measured by what they win in this game my friend, iff rangnick hasn't won anything in 2 or 3 years he'll be gone just like ole , moyes and mourinho

[@barbaraedwards4802]

@@Routine4 why would pep want to chat with Ralph?

[@barbaraedwards4802]

@@Routine4 pep wins trophys end of

[@ZolaMagic25]

He'll be gone at the end of the season or until they can get their man...

[@HrisPetrov]

After watching this video I realized that the best football coaches were playing as a midfielders in their careers.

[@dummy9517]

Wow Russian Man U fan!

[@allanfarran364]

Alex Ferguson was a striker

[@xadranadil0720]

@@allanfarran364 wait I nvr knew that

[@ZolaMagic25]

Ha

[@fudgerace4356]

Majority of 'good' modern football coaches r midfielders, bcz midfielders hv better vision on the pitch...

[@viperking88]

With the history of Ragnik well documented in the video, its getting increasingly clear he is not suited for big clubs where the coach will never get complete control, he is perhaps suited for a more strategic consultant role who will only provide guidance and mentoring to the coaches

[@RobHel]

But isn't that the reason, why ManU got him join the club? If I remember correctly, he's working as their coach until the end of this season and then will step down and act behind the scenes, like he did in Leipzig and Hoffenheim. Wasn't that United's plan?

[@viperking88]

@@RobHel Exactly, for those who are getting overly excited at the prospect of him becoming the full time coach, its a BAD idea!!

[@RobHel]

@@viperking88 yup! I think, he can show his full potential, when he's working the way, he was in Leipzig. Building the club from ground up, creating a philosophy for the club, organizing the academy, educate the coaching staff's aso When he's doing that kin of stuff, he's almost like a genius

[@djonatek9439]

He's useless haha.thsts good news for us tho. He will be sacked soonman cos he will struggle here.

[@viperking88]

@@djonatek9439 I dont think he will be sacked, there is a reason he is called the professor, he will coach the coaches and the board has got it exactly right by making him an interim manager till they find someone who can work under his philosophy

[@ratanboddu486]

Great insights into Ralf and we we as fans can expect from him !

[@MYDOT9]

Thanks a lot for this lovely video. This guy has an amazing story

[@lwandomadikizela2213]

Ralf Rangnick must be backed the same way Ole Gunnar Solkjaer was backed by us the fans. He will improve our football style but it will take time.

[@barbaraedwards4802]

It won't take much to improve uniteds style at the moment will it? Lol

[@AB-lm9ww]

As a Chelsea fan .I respect Ralf Ragnick a lot .Father Ragnick🤙

[@stantastic4866]

You respect him that much you spelled his name wrong. Twice!

[@worldsea3282]

Thanks for this video. It gave me a hindsight of Ralf Rangnick life and achievement 👍🏻

[@jerickalberca4503]

He clashed with the hierarchy that he become the hierarchy himself

[@tehndavey7565]

Such an amazing, informative video. Much appreciated

[@mtkhd8665]

Already subscribed with no hesitation what a spicy history you done man 👏👏👏

[@MyWissam]

T11:18 ... in a second or so he will say something very prophetic reminiscent of the situation at Manchester United ... "if you only celebrate the ashes ..."

[@danielmahathir4001]

really enjoyed this. liked and subscribed

[@chris_3636]

I'm not a Man U supporter but I hope it works out for him, he seems a genuinely decent guy and a visionary. It will be impressive if he gives the younger players a chance and the guidance to do well. It may also indirectly benefit the England team.

[@Lebenslicht_eu]

"It may also indirectly benefit the England team" Oh, please not 😛

[@harrybellingham98]

not perfect but definitely better than ole. I hope he gets to realise his full vision. I like what he has got to say and hope to see it in full

[@delarae9464]

As usual, top content 🤙🏾

[@IndyMactavish]

Great content, but cut down on the video corruption transitions. The blurry effect is really overdone in this

[@ShahulHaq]

How I waited for someone like him to show up at United ✨

[@buffalosowljah373]

@Dimmy Ahmed and at this moment hes professer de-pressing 😂🤣

[@HerrBert07]

all rangnick teams are perfectly organized .. but it takes some time for the players to implement this. I hope he gets the time. manu will be very happy with him. it's best to ask klopp and tuchel.

[@titodollar3150]

Hope we give this man the keys...he is the only one who can fix united structure and modernize the club

[@dondamon4669]

Lol you’ve only just heard of him! Never heard anyone calling for him

[@markfaz8689]

Excellent insight information/video Top marks 👍

[@iq_insane]

Great video, Hope Rangnick will succeed with Utd 🔴⚪

[@abhyudyavats6814]

Amazing video.You make the best football videos.

[@dwkickoff]

Thank you, Abhyudya!

[@herzschlagerhoht5637]

Sehr interessante Doku, vielen Dank!

[@someenchilada]

Really hope he does well at united. What an interesting career. Super informative documentary. Didn’t know about the fantastic hoffenheim story.

[@patriciohelbok8137]

Richtig guter Clip 👏🏾👏🏾 weiter so

[@wahapahapa3279]

One of the best football videos

[@silvestrelomeli6750]

I found this vid unexpectedly good awesome video! I was looking up a coach from man Hester United Justin Cochrane! 💀

[@emmanuelazizhou9456]

I love this, I'm impressed with the detail

[@RS00010]

Imagine going from CL Shalke to 3rd division Hoffenheim. Shows humility and less ego

[@abeparsons7914]

Been waiting for a DW video on ralf!

[@JCTPing88]

Ralf is like German Bielsa. Hope it doesnt turn out like Bielsa and his team now. The crucial thing that would help Ralf is to get new players and staffs he needs

[@cbscboys8784]

Bielsa is managing a Leeds side with limited funds and resources. Ragnick manages ManUtd. If the board provides him with the exact players Rangnick wants that fits his style of play, then ManUtd are only going to get better. He has a style of play, the board needs to provide the players he need that suits that style of play. Like Ragnicks said, we decide how we want to play first, then scout players who suit the system.

[@harukrentz435]

@@cbscboys8784 i think you missed his point. Bielsa is well-respected coach, many future coaches admit that they learn much from him (including Guardiola) BUT hes always failed to implement his style of football for long term after the exciting first 2 years or so, Athletic Bilbao, Marseilles, and now Leeds are the example. Theres pattern of his coaching method.

[@cbscboys8784]

@@harukrentz435 but the teams Ragnicks been as a manager or Sporting director has improved the level of playing in the UCL from nowhere.

[@barbaraedwards4802]

Like bielsa? Oh yeah relegation material

[@dumysani2801]

I didn't know of him but from his recent interviews he is manager not a good guy that jokes with the press 🔥 honest and tells it as it is no freinds I love watching his interviews and it's going to take time .. am glad he joined

[@levycchilufyajr8852]

What a video👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@kasparstrandskov]

Brilliant video

[@RobHel]

I'll never forget, years and years ago when he was coach at Hoffenheim, he signed a young player nobody knew at the time. His name was Robert Firmino and Rangnick said "just wait, he's going to be one Europe best strikers. Give him 3,4 or 5 years and you'll see" He was laughed at from all these so called experts and sports journalists..

[@barbaraedwards4802]

Firming? He hasn't won much since then has he ?

[@RobHel]

@@barbaraedwards4802 Firmino? No, only this.. how you call it? Champions League? And also just this PL Championship, some people are talking about..

[@miacaliper6244]

Great stuff

[@dumysani2801]

Awsum video good insight.. the biggest club in the world we must have the triple c .. go Mr ragnik

[@twistedtrackstravel8771]

In all honesty i can see Ralf getting the full time job.

[@costarica739]

He will do it maximum for 2 years and then hand over to a new manager with everything perfectly placed!

[@twistedtrackstravel8771]

@@costarica739 yep, then they will chamge everything

[@johneastwood3039]

Never won a league title? I thought he won Regionalliga Süd: 1997-98 and 2. Bundesliga: 2001-02.

[@owusu-ansah9733]

major league title

[@garyhectormusic4989]

Class. 👏🏻👏🏻

[@bojack3827]

Really interesting insight.

[@BigSmokeMUFC]

He will prove the doubters wrong!

[@augustinetwumasi5031]

Pep guardiola is a genius and will send him parking lol

[@aawannaveed]

Excellent 👌

[@murphymoe753]

Can you please take him back cannot see anything just hear his talk and he talks well but it's not what we need

[@bodmas3000]

They should give Ralf full control at Manutd and gradually he will change united for the better

[@evandernatanael7008]

What a video 👊

[@deogettic]

Brilliant documentary. How can hire a coach and then tell a coach how they should coach. So I am in complete agreement with Ralf's principle.

[@davidchandra8722]

Rangnick is the type of FM player that doesn't skip monthly meeting

[@moodyville]

I think he's a great manager for United. But for his pressing style to work, he needs to seriously sort out rashford and the back line. As soon as they press, they're terrible on defensive position and too vulnerable to counter attacking atm. God I hope this works out🙏

[@egreat5463]

The eight second rule is a healthy mind trick

[@vutan20]

Ich komme aus Vietnam 🇻🇳, ich bin United fan

[@santiagorosales94hiphop47]

JUST BE POSITIVE !!! IN MR SIR RR...United will rise again.

[@olwethumyeza8712]

Saying loophole to the 50+1 rule makes it sound a bit shady, its an exception given to investors who have been invested in the club for over 2 decades

[@harukrentz435]

NGL all of this reminds me of LvG when he first took over United's job in 2014.

[@davidroman9945]

Just remember if he will take over, not as a part of the Board. Keep Fighting Manchester Red

[@balham5606]

We shall see where he goes after old Trafford fc in summer😊

[@DLthisis]

The background music is super loud!

[@dwkickoff]

Sorry, ILoveDogsTO, we hope you still enjoy the content. And thanks for the feedback! Anybody else having sound issues?

[@aryanmulmi5750]

@@dwkickoff no its perfect

[@SeriousBartYT]

He needs TOTAL control in order to shape the club from the inside and out. Hoffenheim gave him that but it is something that the truly big clubs like Bayern and Liverpool or even Chelsea would not. The reason Man United hired him is because the team and the club is in a spot of bother. I would have been intrigued if he was in charge of Aston Villa or Newcastle but they seem to have opted for shrewd operators like Christian Purslow and Dan Ashworth (known for his work at St. Georges Park and more recently, Brighton and Hove Albion in Sussex).

[@fudgerace4356]

Thats why he want 2 years consultancy at United, bcz if not he knew he would ended up like previous United coaches...

[@adolphsow607]

Revolutionary - Rangnick, Bielsa, Cruyff, Sacchi, Herrera, michel

[@MrReese]

Rangnick is probably my most favorite German manager of all time and that 2008 Hoffenheim team was unbelievable to watch. If Ibisevic, their best goal getter who had scored 18 goals until the winter break, didn't suffer a season-ending injury in a friendly against HSV Hoffenheim might just have won the Bundesliga that season instead of finishing at 7th I believe.

[@harjonotanuwira8226]

How I wish I could go back to 1992

[@Eric-yp7ho]

I'm just worried that the Utd board will fumble this somehow and that familiar pattern of him getting frustrated by the politics will play out again.

[@argo1288]

I mean what're they going to do, there's no choice left. They tried everything since SAF left, this is the last dance.

[@andrewkendall7814]

Rangnick, despite all the opportunity and wealth offered, will not not change a damn thing. Why? Because he is nothing more than an average coach! But, since everybody is so taken in by his charisma, he will no doubt be able to blame the owners for the next chapter of failure.

[@harukrentz435]

Thats why we need to ditch Ed Woodward OUT of the club.

[@collinsoju9192]

An Arsene Wenger kind of man, visionary, idealistic, philosophical and meticulous. I'm no United fan but I see it's easy for fans to start calling for his head because they haven't been playing well. They say it's down to his revered 4-2-2-2 formation that's not suited to the profile of players currently at United, and not working. Of course, a more pragmatic approach will be to play to his players' strengths, I agree. But let's face it: these players are professionals, they must be willing to implement the system of the manager. It's really non-negotiable. Imagine employees dictating to their manager how they'd rather work. Maybe he can get better results being pragmatic rather than idealistic with this United team but it's obvious these players are not ready to work. They did it to Jose. Then Ole? Now they're doing it to Ralf. If Man United want success the club (board and fans) better back him to stamp his authority and philosophy on this team. Still there's room to be pragmatic while working towards the ideal situation. And I feel 6 months is not enough for him achieve any real progress. Maybe United is not the right place for him or the timing is wrong?

[@Ben-tx1qz]

Rangnick at Hannover is a bit like Poch at Tottenham!

[@dapurofficer7934]

fairly unbalanced comparison. Hannover was a third tier league club whereas Tottenham consistently in Top Tier Best League in the world for more than 40 years. Give some respect for Tottenham who used to be an Audi Cup Champion. You have to compare Hannover with West Brom, Norwich, Fullham, Newcastle or Leeds etc.

[@richteffekt]

savage

[@aqeel-3771]

some managers need control of higher duties in football clubs and not just managing a team on the field.

[@paulkirton8945]

He looks like Lofty from Eastenders in that photo.

[@buffalosowljah373]

freaking nora bharties .. goin wayy back there 🤣😂

[@jackcollo7738]

This aged well…

[@indiancr7352]

⚡️

[@d1mcho]

11:56 min. Very interesting

[@theusu7178]

Still not convinced.

[@abhishekpodder7594]

if English FA actually listen to him and instead of hating him because he is a Man United manager, I really hope England can win something. Like this also English FA is filled with crappy overrated Liverpool ex players who themselves have won zero international trophies but will put their noses in everything. If Ragnick can change United's style of play, he can do it to England too.

[@victorkreig6089]

Why would he want to help the english national team? They squandered a decade of probably their best squads in history they don't deserve help. Let english football die like it want's to, at the hand of the plague that is Liverpool FC

[@herewego241]

this is a great inclusion in united..they are gonna be back soon

[@rajadeepak41]

14:12 🤔 suspiciously what the utd players are rumoured to say rn

[@annemarieludwig1934]

ManU will see he is the best in Europe!

[@TheRisboro]

Having watched German Football for all my life, I can attest to much of the video portrait (which I think was more for the international audience). But I'm still sceptical and full of doubt that Rangnick and ManU are a fit. There are so many things that don't fit. - Ronaldo and Gegenpressing - Developing your own youth - The club is too big already, financially and from their aspiration. An ideal Rangnick club is more humble. - Giving Rangnick free reigns

[@94bootsmann97]

Rangnick is the godfather of Tuchel, Klopp and Nagelsmann

[@aqilrahman709]

someone should send this video to woodward or glazier 🤣

[@chasedanforth4037]

It's scary. Let's get results.

[@itsmejoe1401]

world class coach most of them are germans..no doubt

[@CC-jw8cj]

“If you only celebrate the ashes... nothing, to be honest.”

[@mayukh11]

I am here after the legendary 2-2 draw against Aston Villa and the Anthony Martial saga😅😅😅

[@Qammar_GGMU]

Keeping in mind the attitude of United management and overpriced egoistic players, I don't think he'll survive long enough. It has been only 6 weeks and Media and Fans are after him already 😒

[@Lembta]

They should have brought Zidane. This guy seems to have an ego but I might be wrong. I hope he'll be able to win trophies because Germans are really good at what they do.

[@gregoriaarroyo4216]

para cuando en español?

[@goodputin4324]

Por que? Tu no hablo ingles, muy malo!

[@EmreDecdeli]

I love DW Kick Off but I would like to make, hopefully, a constructive criticism. This is a German channel, a country where finding and funding turkish translators should not be that hard. I don't really grasp why DW doesn't insert turkish cc translations. Hopefully this also makes sense for you guys. All the best and happy new year.

[@dwkickoff]

Hi Emre, good point. But there are just too many languages for us to be able to translate and subtitle. Just doing it for one language (which one to pick?) would mean less videos for all. So we provide them in English and hope you continue enjoying them.

[@DeeManSony]

Those who can’t, preach

[@iainnicholson4399]

He taught all the other managers? Those who can't do teach comes to mind..

[@dwkickoff]

😁Lets see, Iain