Ralf Rangnick opens up about rejecting Chelsea after Frank Lampard sacking
Talking to The Times (subscription required), Ralf Rangnick stated that he rejected the offer to manage Chelsea because he did not want to be an interim coach. (h/t Metro)
Chelsea went on a torrid run in the month of January. Frank Lampard was sacked as a result and Thomas Tuchel, the former PSG boss, was appointed his replacement.
However, Rangnick claims that the Blues approached him to fill in the managerial position at Stamford Bridge. He rejected the offer because it was not on a permanent basis.
Rangnick did not appreciate the apparent lack of respect that the badge of an interim manager carries.
“I said: ‘I would like to come and work with you, but I can’t do it for 4 months. I’m not an interim coach’. To the media and players, you would be the ‘4-month manager’, a lame duck, from day 1.”
The 62-year-old German last managed RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga in two separate stints. He is currently without a club.
No hard feelings
The decision to appoint Tuchel has proven to be excellent for Chelsea so far. Chelsea are undefeated in the 5 games they have played under him.
In fact, an unbeaten run in the Premier League has seen us back in contention for top 4.
Rangnick is not bitter about Tuchel’s appointment. In fact, he has praised the impact that he has had on the club since his appointment last month.
“Thomas is tactically on a very sophisticated level.”
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Tuchel is appointed on an initial 18-month contract, but could see his stay extended if he continues to perform well at the Bridge.