Ralf Rangnick: German Football Coach and Former Player
Early Life and Career
Ralf Rangnick was born on June 29, 1958, in Backnang, Germany. He began his professional football career with SSV Ulm 1846, where he played as a midfielder. After retiring from playing in 1989, Rangnick began his coaching career with his former club, SSV Ulm 1846.
Coaching Career
Rangnick gained recognition for his success with Hannover 96, whom he guided from the second division to the Bundesliga in 1997. He then led the club to the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals in 1999. Rangnick's achievements with Hannover 96 established him as one of the most promising coaches in Germany.
Stuttgart and Hoffenheim
After leaving Hannover 96, Rangnick managed VfB Stuttgart from 2001 to 2005. During his time with Stuttgart, he won the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) in 2005. Rangnick then joined TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, where he oversaw the club's rise from the third division to the Bundesliga in 2008. Hoffenheim also made their debut in the UEFA Champions League under Rangnick's guidance.
Schalke 04 and Manchester United
Rangnick managed Schalke 04 from 2011 to 2015, where he won the DFB-Pokal in 2012. In 2021, he was appointed as interim manager of Manchester United following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Rangnick helped improve Manchester United's performance, guiding them to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League.
Current Role
In June 2022, Rangnick was appointed as manager of the Austrian national team. He will oversee Austria's qualification campaign for the 2024 UEFA European Championship.
Family
Rangnick is married and has two sons, David and Kevin. Both of his sons have also pursued careers in football, with Kevin playing for RasenBallsport Leipzig as a scout.
Comments