Managers often have their ways to motivate players or boost their confidence, but some also have methods of punishing their squad — such as the unique system that Ralf Rangnick could introduce at Manchester United, as he did in Germany with RB Leipzig.
The 63-year-old has had a number of managerial positions throughout his footballing career, which was began way back in 1983.
But his most notable times in posts have been at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig — helping the latter to the Bundesliga following their reform before Ralph Hasenhuttl took over in 2016.
He then took the reins again in 2019, following the Austrian's move to Southampton before passing control to Julian Nagelsmann but it was during his time in East Germany when an unlikely system was born.
Managers have their methods, some more bizarre than others but Rangnick's theory of punishment is certainly an eyebrow-raiser.
A giant wheel was installed at the Leipzig training ground packed with ruthless and unpleasant tasks for the players to partake should they step out of line.
It sees the typical fining system ditched, with each torrid chore having its own specific section on the 'wheel of fortune' with club staff and Rangnick himself spinning it to see which fate a player would receive.
"Fines rarely do anything," Rangnick told BILD in 2018.
"It hurts the players hurt more, for example, if they have less free time."
Some of the assignments would include working as a club shop assistant, inflating, carrying and cleaning the football and wearing a ballerina tutu for training.
Also, there would be some reprieve and one very, very lucky player could receive no punishment, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Full list of fines
- Inflate the balls, take them onto the pitch and clean them
- Train one of the academy teams on a free day
- Stadium tour guide
- No punishment
- Maintain a training pitch
- Wear a ballerina tutu for training
- Mix drinks ahead of training and fill water bottles
- Work as an assistant in the club shop
- Serve food in the team cafeteria and clean tables
- Work as a kit assistant
- Help load the team bus with crates and bags for away games
- Purchase gifts for 60 members of staff
For United, it would be interesting to see how the personalities in the dressing room deal with such sanctions, if they were brought in when Rangnick finally arrives.
Work permit issues will see Michael Carrick maintain his position in the United dugout, but Rangnick is set to become the interim manager's role for six months before moving into a consultancy position for an initial two-year period.
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