The mutual interest was there – this time, just like five years ago. But even in 2024, the collaboration between Ralf Rangnick and FC Bayern was ultimately not to happen
Even before Xabi Alonso announced at the press conference that he would be staying at Leverkusen beyond the summer, Ralf Rangnick was seen as the back-up plan at FC Bayern that everyone in Munich’s management circle could agree on. From the point of view of the decision-makers, this did not change even when sporting director Max Eberl tried to bring Julian Nagelsmann back to Säbener Straße. Bayern certainly didn’t score any points with Rangnick, but it wasn’t to be the deciding factor.
The talks were positive. Rangnick had quickly signaled to the Munich managers that he was interested in and willing to take over as head coach at FC Bayern for the coming season. He himself had also dealt extensively with the squad, the upcoming upheaval and the potential collaboration with sporting directors Eberl and Christoph Freund. He had also closely observed the unrest surrounding the club and the turmoil within the club. And ultimately came to the decision this Wednesday to decide against a commitment to the German record champions and for his current job as Austria’s national coach.
Bayern and Rangnick – it still wasn’t a good fit at the second attempt. There was already serious interest from Munich in May 2019. Back then, the situation was different and Niko Kovac was the coach. Incidentally, he was brought in as a C-solution in 2018. Uli Hoeneß wanted to convince Jupp Heynckes to stay on after he had taken over for Carlo Ancelotti on an interim basis. However, the 2013 treble-winning coach did not want to, right from the start. Bayern had already reached an agreement with Thomas Tuchel in the background at the time, but Hoeneß insisted on his plan with Heynckes – for too long. In the meantime, Tuchel agreed to join Paris St. Germain. In the end, there was neither Tuchel nor Heynckes. Kovac came along, who experienced his first crisis in the fall of 2018 and lost the dressing room
Because Kovac won the double after all, the issue of Rangnick was once again resolved
In the spring of 2019, leading players made representations to the boardroom. Hoeneß stuck by Kovac for a long time – without success. Which is why the Bayern bosses looked for an alternative. That alternative was Rangnick, who was currently coaching RB Leipzig and faced Bayern in the DFB Cup final. Shortly before the final in Berlin and before Munich clinched the championship on the last matchday, there was an intensive exchange in the event that one of these titles was not won.
In the end, Kovac’s Bayern won the double. Whether thanks to him or in spite of him is of secondary importance. In any case, the Munich decision-makers were unable to sack the double coach prematurely, partly due to a possible lack of understanding on the part of the fans – which meant that the Rangnick issue was over. Just as it has been officially settled at the second attempt since this Thursday
