Harry Redknapp criticised Manchester United’s ‘ridiculous’ decision to bring Ralf Rangnick as interim manager, suggesting Michael Carrick should have continued.
It’s been a rough few weeks being a Manchester United player, fan or manager. As results started awry, there was total unrest at Old Trafford. After a disastrous run of games, the defeat to Watford forced those sitting in the boardroom to make the change and relieve Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of his duties.
The Norwegian has since opened up on his departure and suggested the club remain in good hands. Former RB Leipzig manager Ralf Rangnick is expected to take over the reins on an interim basis until the end of the season and then stay on at the club in the capacity of a consultant.
Manchester United were believed to want Mauricio Pochettino to becoming their new permanent manager. But, the Argentine’s commitments to PSG and their quest to win the Champions League hindered any possible move. Hence they stuck with the idea of an interim boss to steady the ship before a full-time appointment takes shape.
While many have lauded the decision to bring Rangnick at the helm, former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp suggested he ‘never heard anything so stupid’. The experienced manager said felt Michael Carrick should have continued and found the decision ‘ridiculous’ to appoint an interim boss. His comments appeared on the Manchester Evening News as Redknapp lashed out on Manchester United and their recent calls.
Redknapp said, “The fact United have brought in Ralf Rangnick as an interim to replace the interim before they get the man they really want, is ridiculous. I’ve never heard anything so stupid in my life, whichever way you look at it. If they wanted Mauricio Pochettino, as we were led to believe, then there were ways and means to make it happen now.”
Furthermore, when speaking about the idea to bring in an interim manager, Redknapp suggested Carrick’s experience might have played a bigger role than that of anyone else.
He continued, “And if they had to wait for him, they shouldn’t have pushed Michael aside and put someone above him for a few months. What does that say? We’ve got no faith in you? The thing is, he [Carrick] knows United inside out. He’s got a great footballing brain – you don’t play the game how he did unless you understand it.
“If they needed to bring in anyone before a manager was appointed, then get a coach alongside him because they were a man down after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left. They should have just gone for someone experienced, but let Michael run the show until then.”
Rangnick’s appointment is expected to be made official imminently. It will certainly be interesting to see the direction in which the German takes Manchester United.
