Why Ralf Rangnick rejected Chelsea job before accepting Manchester United job

Ralf Rangnick has reportedly reached an agreement with the club to become the next Manchester United boss.

The German tactician will be appointed interim boss for the rest of the season before moving to a two-year consultancy role at Old Trafford next summer.

Rangnick was also approached by Chelsea in January after the Blues sacked Frank Lampard but the German tactician turned down the chance to move to Stamford Bridge, claiming that he would’ve been seen a ‘lame duck’ if he agreed to an interim role.

Speaking about Chelsea’s approach in an interview with The Times, Rangnick said: “I said [to Chelsea], ‘I would love to come and work with you, but I cannot do it for four months. I am not an interim coach.’ To the media and players you would be the ‘four-month manager’, a lame duck, from day one.”

Chelsea then appointed Thomas Tuchel as manager after Rangnick rejected the Chelsea job.