Ralf Rangnick clarifies why he has not spoken to next Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag yet
Ralf Rangnick is unlikely to meet with incoming Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag until at least mid-May.
Ten Hag remains in command of Ajax until the end of the season, and the Dutch champions have four games left in the Eredivisie, where they lead PSV Eindhoven by four points.
In Saturday, Ajax will host PEC Zwolle, travel to AZ Alkmaar, host Heerenveen, and play Vitesse Arnhem on the final weekend of the season on May 15.
United’s last game is on May 22 versus Crystal Palace.
Rangnick stated that he will remain at United as consultant on a two-year contract and is looking forward to working with Ten Hag.
“His focus is on Ajax now and trying to win the title now,” Rangnick added. “My focus is on our club and getting the best possible results.
“Whenever he has time or would like to speak, I’m available. But I would not want to contact him on my own account right now.
“I’m looking forward to working in that advisory role and obviously helping Erik as much as he wants it himself. So far, we haven’t been able to speak with each other and we have had no contact. He has his focus on Ajax, I have my focus on Manchester United here.
“Obviously, I’m more than willing and prepared to help both Erik and whomever in the club in order to change everything for the better.”
Sixth-placed United currently hold a Europa League qualifying slot in the Premier League table and would have to finish ninth to avoid competing in any European competition next season.
Leicester and Chelsea won the Premier League without any European competition obligations in 2015-16 and 16-17, respectively, while Liverpool nearly ended their championship drought in 2013-14 without any European ties.
Rangnick has emphasized how Liverpool profited from having no European games during Jurgen Klopp’s first full season in charge in 2016-17, when they finished fourth after finishing ninth the previous season.
“It could be an advantage but that does not mean we will give away any of the remaining four games,” Rangnick explained. “For us, it’s clear and our obligation. This is our job, my job, the job of the players that we try to get the best possible results and then see at the end of the season in which position we will finish.
“Now to speak about if that would be an advantage or not does not make sense because if I did that then this would be interpreted again. For me, it’s important we get results, that we play as good as we possibly can, because this will also affect the atmosphere and mood for the new season.”
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Ralf Rangnick clarifies why he has not spoken to next Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag yet
