Rumor: Ralf Rangnick held talks with West Brom

by Great Leader Sprucenuce Thu May 31, 2012 5:55 pm

West Brom have held talks with former Schalke and Stuttgart boss Ralf Rangnick as they step up their search to find Roy Hodgson's successor, Press Association Sport understands.

Rangnick, 53, has emerged as the clear favourite to take over from new England head coach Hodgson. But reports that the Baggies have already made a formal offer to Rangnick are premature.

He first met with Albion officials when a guest of the club for the final home Barclays Premier League game of the campaign with Arsenal on May 13. Compensation would not be an issue as Rangnick has been without a club since leaving Schalke eight months ago because of exhaustion.

He nudged ahead of Birmingham boss Chris Hughton after it emerged the npower Championship club were looking for around £2million in compensation.

Blues were also prepared to turn down Albion if they approached asking for permission to speak to Hughton who would then have had to resign to force the issue.

Rangwick had two spells at Schalke, leading them to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2010-11, in addition to a four-year stint at Hoffenheim.

Thoughts? would be a cracking choice by West Brom IMO

by Le Samourai Thu May 31, 2012 5:57 pm

Edit: Looked through West Brom squad , do not know a single player other than Odemwinge Laughing

I thought Albrighton played for them Sad

by the xcx Thu May 31, 2012 5:59 pm

very underrated coach to my mind. Hes speciality is attacking and can work wonders with Defence and midfield if needed to.

by McLewis Thu May 31, 2012 6:49 pm

Has his health improved?

Could be a great coach in the EPL, but WBA was not what I expected to see him linked with. They could be another Wigan though so this is all the more interesting.

by Great Leader Sprucenuce Thu May 31, 2012 6:57 pm

McLewis wrote:Has his health improved?

Could be a great coach in the EPL, but WBA was not what I expected to see him linked with. They could be another Wigan though so this is all the more interesting.

By all the counts he just wanted a break ala Guardiola and has been sounding out clubs since January over possible availabilities.

West Brom have some good players be interesting to see what he can do with them if he takes the job.

by Le Samourai Thu May 31, 2012 6:57 pm

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:
McLewis wrote:Has his health improved?

Could be a great coach in the EPL, but WBA was not what I expected to see him linked with. They could be another Wigan though so this is all the more interesting.

By all the counts he just wanted a break ala Guardiola and has been sounding out clubs since January over possible availabilities.

West Brom have some good players be interesting to see what he can do with them if he takes the job.

Who are the good players?

Damn, I wouldve loved for Liverpool to get him. Sad

by VivaStPauli Thu May 31, 2012 6:57 pm

He's one of the one-touch experts, great coach, I'm not sure how he dealt with his burnout, but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be looking for a job if he didn't feel up to it, and burnout and depression are illnesses, one can fully recover from, they don't need to be chronical.

If he went to the PL he would instantly enter the top5 or even top3 of best coaches there. He might not be a visionary, but he is rock solid, what he did at Hoffenheim was amazing, give him some money to work with, and he'll build you a proper, passing, attacking side.

by VivaStPauli Thu May 31, 2012 6:58 pm

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:
McLewis wrote:Has his health improved?

Could be a great coach in the EPL, but WBA was not what I expected to see him linked with. They could be another Wigan though so this is all the more interesting.

By all the counts he just wanted a break ala Guardiola and has been sounding out clubs since January over possible availabilities.

West Brom have some good players be interesting to see what he can do with them if he takes the job.

No no, Rangnick had proper burnout, not that it's untreatable or anything, he'll probably be fine now, but you don't quit mid-season if you "just want a break", you do it if you "just need a break"...

by Great Leader Sprucenuce Thu May 31, 2012 7:05 pm

Le Samourai wrote:
Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:
McLewis wrote:Has his health improved?

Could be a great coach in the EPL, but WBA was not what I expected to see him linked with. They could be another Wigan though so this is all the more interesting.

By all the counts he just wanted a break ala Guardiola and has been sounding out clubs since January over possible availabilities.

West Brom have some good players be interesting to see what he can do with them if he takes the job.

Who are the good players?

Mulumbu, Brunt, Odemwingie, Morrison, Long and Olsson.

Thomas and Gera are decent on thier day too and i have heard good things about Allan who they signed in January.

All in all they are a decent side but has room to grow on the pitch and off it which i suppose is where Rangnick comes in.

Ok Viva it looks like i was wrong or my "contacts" were Laughing

in any case i would think if he's talking to clubs now i would assume he's feeling better now.

by Le Samourai Thu May 31, 2012 7:12 pm

Demba Ba to West Brom hmm

by rwo power Thu May 31, 2012 8:06 pm

Ralf Rangnick already stated two or so months ago that he'd be interested to take over a club again. I think he is very wise to look for a club that is lower profile - he'll have less pressure there than in a high profile club where everybody would call for his scalp if he'd do just one wrong step.