There is an episode of Seinfeld in which George decides all the decisions made throughout his life have been mistakes.
‘Every instinct I have in every aspect, be it something to wear, something to eat, it’s all been wrong,’ he says. He vows to do the opposite from that moment.
It would appear the same logic has taken hold at Manchester United. The dark mind of Jose Mourinho was replaced by little ray of sunshine Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. That didn’t work, so now Solskjaer gives way to Ralf Rangnick.
Manchester United have reached an agreement to name Ralf Rangnick as interim manager
The dark mind of Jose Mourinho (left) was replaced by little ray of sunshine Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (right) - but that didn't work so now United have turned to Rangnick
Manchester United are going from being the least coached elite side in the world, to the most. If Ole’s at the wheel, Rangnick’s style is to be at the wheel, in the passenger seat and shouting instructions from the back, too.
The money must be good because, asked to perform a similar role at Chelsea after Frank Lampard’s dismissal, Rangnick said roughly four months was not enough time to have an influence. Maybe he was surprised at what Thomas Tuchel contrived to do in a similar period — or maybe six months makes him think he can bend United into a recognisable shape.
If order and structure are what have been missing this season they are arriving with bells on now. Rangnick is a famously influential leader, credited with inspiring the current generation of German coaches without ever getting an opportunity at a truly big club. Reputationally, he’s Marcelo Bielsa with an umlaut.
It seems strange, then, that Manchester United only see him as a manager for six months and then a consultant for two years after. If he succeeds, why would he want to shrink into the shadows? If he fails, why would
