Ralf Rangnick is set to be named as Manchester United’s new interim manager, according to a report in the Athletic.
United are on the lookout for a new boss following last weekend’s decision to relieve Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of his managerial duties.
The Norwegian was dismissed after just short of three years following a desperate run of form which has seen them win one of their last seven Premier League games.
A 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Watford proved to be the final straw for Old Trafford officials, who are now in the process of hiring their fifth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
Mauricio Pochettino remains the club’s top target for the permanent job, but a move midway through the season could be difficult with Paris Saint-Germain blocking any immediate approach.
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There is a feeling that the Argentine would be open to returning to the Premier League in the summer, meaning a stop-gap appointment will be required.
And Rangnick, 63, appears to have won that race with reports claiming United have agreed a unique two-part deal with the esteemed coach.
It is suggested the German will be named as interim manager for the rest of the season, before taking on a consultancy role for a further two.
His first role at Carrington looks set to be getting Cristiano Ronaldo on side quickly after reports of disillusionment under Solskjaer.
The Portuguese was said to be concerned about the direction under the former manager, with agent Jorge Mendes believed to have made calls pushing for clarity on the situation in the dugout.
Rangnick could have work to do on that objective having labelled the 36-year-old as “too old” five years ago.
During one of his stints at RB Leipzig, he was asked whether he would ever consider signing Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, replying: "It would be absurd to think that it could work with them here.
"They are both too old and too expensive."
Half a decade on and Ronaldo is showing few signs of slowing down and scored his 10th of the season in the win over Villarreal on Tuesday.
Rangnick has spent the majority of his coaching career in Germany and is credited with the introduction of Gegenpressing which has since become commonplace among Europe’s top clubs.
The 63-year-old has spent time as director of football for both Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig, before leaving the job last year, joining Lokomotiv in the summer.
Rangnick's willingness to take the position marks a sharp U-turn to his comments regarding the Chelsea job earlier this season, when he was named as a potential short-term successor to Frank Lampard/
After reports linked Rangnick with the job at Chelsea, he told The Times. "I said: 'I would like to come and work with you, but I can't do it for four months. I'm not an interim coach.
"To the media and players you would be the ‘four-month manager’, a lame duck, from day one.”
