Manchester United have agreed a deal with Ralf Rangnick to take over as their new interim manager until the end of the season.
The German, 63, will spend the remaining six months of the Premier League season in the Old Trafford hot-seat before transitioning into a consultancy role, something that current United vice-chairman Ed Woodward pushed for.
Rangnick has established himself as one of the shrewdest operators in the business after spells as the director of football for both RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig.
His astonishing eye for talent saw Salzburg sign Sadio Mane under his stewardship, while Leipzig bagged the likes of Joshua Kimmich and Timo Werner.
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The idea behind Rangnick taking on a consultancy role within United's boardroom is something Woodward may have demanded due to the clubs lack of leadership and direction during the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
United are of the belief that Rangnick's knowledge of European football will prove invaluable as the club aim to end their eight-year wait for a Premier League title.
The terms of Rangnick's short-term contract have now been agreed between the club and the German's representatives, as well as the finer detail of his two-year role beyond that as a de facto sporting director.
A deal is expected be officially signed by the end of this weekend, meaning Rangnick will not be in the dug-out for United's trip to fellow 'big-six' outfit Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
Due to work permit issues, there is every chance Rangnick will also miss out on the visit of Arsenal in early December, meaning current caretaker boss Michael Carrick could have at least another two games in charge.
It is expected that United's first game with Rangnick at the helm will come at home to Crystal Palace on December 5.
Dissecting why United opted for Rangnick's expertise over some of the other candidates interviewed, a club source revealed: "Beyond the managerial side, his lens on football philosophy and strategy is second to none, particularly with the phenomenal job he did at Salzburg and Leipzig."
Rangnick will be well aware of the size of the task at hand, as United currently languish as low as seventh in the league table - 12 points adrift of table-toppers and next opponents Chelsea.
Carrick will know he needs to inspire the current crop of United stars to a similar performance to the one produced away to Villarreal earlier this week, a 2-0 win sealing United's status as group winners.
A loss to Chelsea could spell the end of United's already-faint title hopes before Rangnick has even arrived.
