Ralf Rangnick and AC Milan have a ‘basic agreement but have not yet signed a contract’, according to German journalist Christian Falk.
Bild claimed earlier in the month that Rangnick – the current head of development for Red Bull football – is in advanced talks to take over as Milan head coach and sporting director for next season.
In addition, French outlet L’Equipe went one further by claiming Rangnick has in fact already signed a deal with the Rossoneri and that there would be a big financial party if the club went back on it.
We revealed via our correspondent Vito Angele that Rangnick is a profile who has been studied by CEO Ivan Gazidis, but that Max Allegri and Gian Piero Gasperini are preferred choices at present.
Now, Radio Rossonera have spoken to SportBild journalist Christian Falk about the rumours.
“According to the news I have, Ralf Rangnick and Milan have a basic agreement but have not yet signed a contract. They have to decide in the next 3-4 weeks and I think it depends on AC Milan’s decision because Ralf Rangnick is very interested,” Falk said.
Could his role conflict with current directors Zvonomir Boban and Paolo Maldini?
“If Rangnick decides to join Milan he will want to have both the roles of sports director and coach, so surely there could be problems with the other directors of the club but in the past he has always been successful when he did both roles.
“At Schalke Rangnick was only the coach and it did not go as well as in Leipzig. At Hoffenheim he was a coach but with a great influence on the management choices and he was very successful there.”
Can the ‘Leipzig model’ be replicated at a club like Milan?
“I’m not sure that the Leipzig model canwork for Milan because the Rossoneri are a club with a great tradition like Bayern Munich. Even the Bavarians in the past thought about Rangnick but in the end they did not decide to hire him. It’s a new situation for Milan, if they want to hire him they must be sure to follow his ideas.
“In Germany, Ralf Rangnick is called the Professor or the Brain. People have to follow it completely because if they don’t, there can be problems. So basically they have to decide if they like Rangnick’s style or not.”
