‘Unfortunately a good coach is coming’ – Jurgen Klopp breaks silence on mentor Ralf Rangnick’s Man Utd appointment
JURGEN KLOPP has praised Manchester United’s appointment of Ralf Rangnick by hailing him as an “organised and experienced coach”.
Klopp, whose managerial style was inspired by Rangnick, insists it is “not good news” for other Premier League clubs that the German has arrived in England.
When asked about Rangnick’s arrival, he said: “Unfortunately a good coach is coming to England, to Manchester United!
“He’s a really experienced manager, built two clubs from nowhere.
“Man United will be organised on the pitch. That’s obviously not good news for other teams.”
Rangnick has agreed a six-month managerial contract that will take him up until the end of the season.
Then he will begin his two-year deal as a consultant at Old Trafford as the Red Devils appoint a more long-term successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Solskjaer was sacked by Man Utd following their shambolic 4-1 defeat to Watford last weekend.
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When asked about the Norwegian’s dismissal earlier this week, Klopp rejected the idea he had given it any thought whatsoever.
He said: “What do I have to do with that? Sorry, I’m really not prepared for that question.
“I didn’t think about United for a second.”
He then added: “I don’t think of the impact the manager has, should have or will ever have since six years ago, when I had to.
“Sorry it’s the wrong question. I don’t have an answer for that.”
Liverpool currently sit eight points above Man Utd after just 12 games of the Premier League season.
Klopp’s Liverpool helped pile the pressure on Solskjaer last month when his Reds side destroyed United 5-0 at Old Trafford.
United then went on to lose 2-0 at home to Manchester City before the battering at Vicarage Road proved to be Solskjaer’s final straw.
Rangnick will not take charge of the Red Devils for their trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday when they face Premier League leaders Chelsea.
But he could be in the dugout just four days later when United host Arsenal at Old Trafford.
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And Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, who like Klopp was inspired by Rangnick, praised the German’s appointment.
He said: “He helped me a lot because he was my coach and then he was one of the main figures to convince me to try coaching, so he had a huge influence on all of us at this time.
“He showed us it is not necessary to follow people to the toilet in football games because that was the belief: that defenders follow their strikers wherever they go, but he showed it was possible to defend in a zone.”