Ever since Bayern Munich announced that Thomas Tuchel would be departing Bavaria at the end of the season, there have been a plethora of names linked with the Bayern job. While Xabi Alonso and Julian Nagelsmann have committed their future elsewhere, other candidates such as Roberto De Zerbi and José Mourinho have fallen by the wayside.
Nevertheless, after weeks of speculation, it appears as though Ralf Rangnick will soon be appointed as Tuchel’s successor. It is understood that the current head coach of the Austrian national team is considering the offer proposed by Der Rekordmeister.
However, if Rangnick is to become the next Bayern head coach, there will certainly be support from the playing squad. Speaking to the Münchner Merkur newspaper, Joshua Kimmich commented on the potential appointment of Rangnick:
“I trust him to do anything when you see his past – and what he has already done and achieved in his positions.”
As well as this, in 2013, Kimmich was signed by RB Leipzig, while Rangnick was the director of sports for Die Roten Bullen. The 29-year-old then recalled his personal experience with Rangnick:
“He was extremely important for me. I was injured at the time with pubic bone inflammation. You might think that for a player who cost money and was only there for two years, you would say: ‘Now we have done something for you; now you have to march too.’ But Ralf Rangnick gave me the time to get fit so that I could perform at the highest level. That was incredibly important for me.”
Kimmich’s recollection displays a side of Rangnick that does not always appear visible. Regardless, the former Leipzig midfielder ensured that Rangnick is far more empathetic than he is considered to be:
“When I moved to FC Bayern, Ralf Rangnick took over as coach in Leipzig, and I still had a lot of contact with the team after that. They all said that he was also a great person as a coach, regardless of his tactical ideas. They all spoke only positively about him, just like the boys do now when they come from the ÖFB.”
If Rangnick is to succeed Tuchel, then a mammoth task awaits the former Manchester United head coach. Nevertheless, as Kimmich commented, the godfather of modern German football has a significantly successful past, and if there is anyone who can return Bayern to greatness, it is him.
GGFN | Will Shopland
