Ralf Rangnick is still waiting to chat with new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, but has sent a message to the man who will replace him in the Old Trafford dugout.
Last week, Ten Hag was appointed as United’s permanent first-team manager on a three-year deal and will take over at the end of the season. Interim boss Rangnick is set to stay on in an advisory role, despite agreeing to become the new head coach of the Austrian national team.
It is understood that the German will be kept on to advise the new boss on issues regarding recruitment as United look to climb the long ladder back to the top of English football. Despite Monday night’s win against Brentford, it is almost impossible for them to reach the Champions League and have failed to win a single trophy since 2017.
The win over the Bees marks the final home game of the season and a time to reflect on a slew of first-team players who have now likely played their last game in front of United home supporters. Nemanja Matic has already confirmed his exit, while the likes of Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Paul Pogba are all out of contract and able to leave as free agents.
There promises to be a dramatic overhaul of the playing staff during Ten Hag’s first window in charge and Rangnick has confirmed that a number of players will be moved on in the coming weeks and months.
“It's obvious quite a few players will leave and there is a need for top-quality players. I strongly believe that if everyone works together we can bring Man Utd back to where we need to be,” the 63-year-old explained.
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Asked about his discussions with Ten Hag, he added: "So far we haven't been able to speak. Erik's focus is on winning the Dutch league, our focus was on our games.”
Last month’s thrashing by Liverpool at Anfield brought into focus the scale of the task facing the Ajax boss, with Rangnick suggesting that the rebuild could take six years before they are fully competitive with the Premier League ’s best.
But he has somewhat backtracked on that sentiment and assured supporters that if they can get recruitment right, the process will be expedited. "Other clubs only needed two or three transfer windows to challenge but from now on we need to bring in top-quality players who really help raise the level. If this happens then I don't think it should take too long."
Ahead of his first meeting with Ten Hag, Rangnick has told Old Trafford bosses that their focus in the window should be on finding “future top star players and developing them.”
He told Sky Sports: "It's not only identifying those players but meeting them, convincing them to join this club, even though we will not be playing in the Champions League.
"It's not only identifying those players but meeting them, convincing them to join this club, even though we will not be playing in the Champions League."
