Ralf Rangnick
Encyclopedia
Ralf Rangnick is a former German
football player and a manager
.
, but was unable to progress any further than their amateur side
, playing in the lower leagues. This was to prove his level, as he played at a string of small lowly clubs, including a stint at English non-league side Southwick
while studying English on a guest year at the University of Sussex
in Brighton
.
His first taste of coaching came in his playing days at SSV Ulm 1846
in the early 1980s, when he was entrusted to coach the youth side. He stepped up to becoming player/coach at his hometown club Viktoria Backnang, then TSV Lippoldsweiler. After hanging up his boots, he became the coach of SC Korb in 1988, remaining there two seasons before returning to his original club VfB Stuttgart
to now manage the amateur ranks he had once played in.
Rangnick stayed at VfB Stuttgart
, as both amateur and youth coach, through the early 1990s, before moving to Regionalliga South side SSV Reutlingen
in 1995. He took the club to a 4th place finish in his first season, and they began the following campaign brightly too, with the club in the midst of the promotion push by Christmas. Rangnick would not complete the season with the team though, as he moved to his former club SSV Ulm 1846
in January 1997.
SSV Ulm 1846
were also positioned in the Regionalliga South, and although Rangnick could only manage a sixth place position from the remainder of the 1996–97 season, the next year they won the league. Rangnick adapted well to life at his highest level yet in the 2. Bundesliga
, and SSV Ulm 1846
mounted a strong promotion push.
However, during the winter break, he signed a deal to move to top flight VfB Stuttgart
for the next season. This was supposed to remain secret until the end of the season, but in February it leaked out into public knowledge. This caused an outcry, especially as the team began to lose ground in the table, and by the end of March, Rangnick quit the post prematurely and took control of VfB Stuttgart
for the final five games.
level in 1999–00 saw the team finish a respectable eighth, but the following season was much tougher. Despite making the semi finals of the DFB Cup and the round of 16 in the UEFA Cup (via the Intertoto Cup), their league form was mediocre and they were sat in the relegation zone by the halfway point. After their European exit in February 2001, VfB Stuttgart
fired Rangnick.
The next season brought a new post, as Rangnick took over 2. Bundesliga
side Hannover 96
. His first season was a complete success as they romped home as champions and were promoted back to the Bundesliga
after a 13 year absence. Their first season back at the top level saw them consolidate with an 11th place finish, but as their form nosedived in the second half of the 2003–04 season, Rangnick was fired after a 0–1 defeat at Borussia Mönchengladbach
in March 2004.
to Joachim Löw, Rangnick was hired by FC Schalke 04
, after Jupp Heynckes
left just weeks into the 2004–05 season. Rangnick again tasted European action as the club had earned a UEFA Cup spot via the Intertoto Cup. He led them through the group phase, but they exited in the knockout rounds to Shakhtar Donetsk. The DFB Cup was to prove more successful though, as Rangnick took the club to the final, where they fell 2–1 to Bayern Munich. Bayern would also pip Rangnick's side in the league as Schalke ended as runners-up.
The next season started well with Rangnick gaining revenge over former club VfB Stuttgart
by beating them 1–0 to lift the Ligapokal. Their second place league finish of the previous year had also qualified them for the 2005–06 UEFA Champions League, Rangnick's first entry into the prestigious competition. However, the team would fail to progress beyond the group stage, and sat 10 points off the pace in the Bundesliga
, as well as having crashed 0–6 in the DFB Cup to Eintracht Frankfurt
. Shortly before the winter break, these factors forced the club to dismiss Rangnick.
Rangnick had to drop down the divisions for his next club, as he moved to 1899 Hoffenheim of the Regionalliga South for the 2006–07 season. Again, he proved himself adept at this level, as the team instantly won promotion and played the 2007–08 season in the 2. Bundesliga
for their first time in their history. The stay in the 2. Bundesliga was short: a second-place finish for Hoffenheim in 2007–08 has earned the club, and Rangnick, promotion to the Bundesliga
for the 2008–09 season.
On 1 January 2011 Rangnick resigned as head coach of Hoffenheim, citing the sale of Luis Gustavo to Bayern Munich, of which he had not been informed, as his reason for resigning from the club.
In March 2011, Rangnick was named as the replacement for Felix Magath
as manager of Schalke
. Just weeks after being named the new Schalke manager, Rangnick led his old club to their first UEFA Champions League
semi-final by defeating holders Internazionale
with a 7-3 win on aggregate.
On September 22, 2011, Ralf Rangnick stepped down as Schalke's manager due to exhaustion syndrome
, stating that he currently does not have "the necessary energy to be successful and to develop the team and the club".
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
football player and a manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
.
Early career
Rangnick began his playing career at VfB StuttgartVfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
, but was unable to progress any further than their amateur side
VfB Stuttgart II
VfB Stuttgart II is a German football team located in Stuttgart, currently playing in the 3rd Liga. Their first team, VfB Stuttgart, won the Bundesliga league title in 2007.- Relationship with VfB Stuttgart :...
, playing in the lower leagues. This was to prove his level, as he played at a string of small lowly clubs, including a stint at English non-league side Southwick
Southwick F.C.
Southwick F.C. is a football club based in Southwick, West Sussex, England. It was founded in 1882 and was among the founding members of the Sussex County League. It has won the Sussex County League title six times in its history....
while studying English on a guest year at the University of Sussex
University of Sussex
The University of Sussex is an English public research university situated next to the East Sussex village of Falmer, within the city of Brighton and Hove. The University received its Royal Charter in August 1961....
in Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
.
His first taste of coaching came in his playing days at SSV Ulm 1846
SSV Ulm 1846
SSV Ulm 1846 is a German association football club from Ulm, Baden-Württemberg and is one of the country's largest and oldest sports clubs with over 12,000 members in more than twenty different departments. The modern-day club was formed out of 5 May 1970 merger of TSG Ulm 1846 and 1...
in the early 1980s, when he was entrusted to coach the youth side. He stepped up to becoming player/coach at his hometown club Viktoria Backnang, then TSV Lippoldsweiler. After hanging up his boots, he became the coach of SC Korb in 1988, remaining there two seasons before returning to his original club VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
to now manage the amateur ranks he had once played in.
Rangnick stayed at VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
, as both amateur and youth coach, through the early 1990s, before moving to Regionalliga South side SSV Reutlingen
SSV Reutlingen
SSV Reutlingen 05 is a German association football club from Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg.- History :The club was founded as FC Arminia Reutlingen and was re-named SV Reutlingen 1905 in 1910. The club fused with 1...
in 1995. He took the club to a 4th place finish in his first season, and they began the following campaign brightly too, with the club in the midst of the promotion push by Christmas. Rangnick would not complete the season with the team though, as he moved to his former club SSV Ulm 1846
SSV Ulm 1846
SSV Ulm 1846 is a German association football club from Ulm, Baden-Württemberg and is one of the country's largest and oldest sports clubs with over 12,000 members in more than twenty different departments. The modern-day club was formed out of 5 May 1970 merger of TSG Ulm 1846 and 1...
in January 1997.
SSV Ulm 1846
SSV Ulm 1846
SSV Ulm 1846 is a German association football club from Ulm, Baden-Württemberg and is one of the country's largest and oldest sports clubs with over 12,000 members in more than twenty different departments. The modern-day club was formed out of 5 May 1970 merger of TSG Ulm 1846 and 1...
were also positioned in the Regionalliga South, and although Rangnick could only manage a sixth place position from the remainder of the 1996–97 season, the next year they won the league. Rangnick adapted well to life at his highest level yet in the 2. Bundesliga
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
, and SSV Ulm 1846
SSV Ulm 1846
SSV Ulm 1846 is a German association football club from Ulm, Baden-Württemberg and is one of the country's largest and oldest sports clubs with over 12,000 members in more than twenty different departments. The modern-day club was formed out of 5 May 1970 merger of TSG Ulm 1846 and 1...
mounted a strong promotion push.
However, during the winter break, he signed a deal to move to top flight VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
for the next season. This was supposed to remain secret until the end of the season, but in February it leaked out into public knowledge. This caused an outcry, especially as the team began to lose ground in the table, and by the end of March, Rangnick quit the post prematurely and took control of VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
for the final five games.
Bundesliga entry
Rangnick was now first team coach at the club he had served as a player and coached at amateur and youth level previously. His first full season at BundesligaFußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
level in 1999–00 saw the team finish a respectable eighth, but the following season was much tougher. Despite making the semi finals of the DFB Cup and the round of 16 in the UEFA Cup (via the Intertoto Cup), their league form was mediocre and they were sat in the relegation zone by the halfway point. After their European exit in February 2001, VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
fired Rangnick.
The next season brought a new post, as Rangnick took over 2. Bundesliga
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
side Hannover 96
Hannover 96
Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896, commonly referred to as Hannover 96, Hannover or simply 96, is a German association football club based in the city of Hanover, Lower Saxony.-Foundation to WWII:...
. His first season was a complete success as they romped home as champions and were promoted back to the Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
after a 13 year absence. Their first season back at the top level saw them consolidate with an 11th place finish, but as their form nosedived in the second half of the 2003–04 season, Rangnick was fired after a 0–1 defeat at Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach
Borussia Mönchengladbach is a German association football club based in Mönchengladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia. The team plays in the Bundesliga and is one of the country's most well-known, well-supported, and successful teams. Borussia Mönchengladbach has over 40,000 members and is the sixth...
in March 2004.
FC Schalke and beyond
After missing out on the assistant role in the German national sideGermany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
to Joachim Löw, Rangnick was hired by FC Schalke 04
FC Schalke 04
Fußball-Club Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04, commonly known as simply FC Schalke 04 or Schalke , is a German, association-football club originally from the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Schalke has long been one of the most popular football teams in Germany, even though major...
, after Jupp Heynckes
Jupp Heynckes
Josef "Jupp" Heynckes is a German football coach and former player. As player he belonged to the core of the team of Borussia Mönchengladbach in its golden era of the 1960s and 1970s where he won many national championships and the Cup as well as the UEFA Cup...
left just weeks into the 2004–05 season. Rangnick again tasted European action as the club had earned a UEFA Cup spot via the Intertoto Cup. He led them through the group phase, but they exited in the knockout rounds to Shakhtar Donetsk. The DFB Cup was to prove more successful though, as Rangnick took the club to the final, where they fell 2–1 to Bayern Munich. Bayern would also pip Rangnick's side in the league as Schalke ended as runners-up.
The next season started well with Rangnick gaining revenge over former club VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
by beating them 1–0 to lift the Ligapokal. Their second place league finish of the previous year had also qualified them for the 2005–06 UEFA Champions League, Rangnick's first entry into the prestigious competition. However, the team would fail to progress beyond the group stage, and sat 10 points off the pace in the Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
, as well as having crashed 0–6 in the DFB Cup to Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt is a German sports club, based in Frankfurt, Hesse that is best known for its association football club.- Club origins :...
. Shortly before the winter break, these factors forced the club to dismiss Rangnick.
Rangnick had to drop down the divisions for his next club, as he moved to 1899 Hoffenheim of the Regionalliga South for the 2006–07 season. Again, he proved himself adept at this level, as the team instantly won promotion and played the 2007–08 season in the 2. Bundesliga
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
for their first time in their history. The stay in the 2. Bundesliga was short: a second-place finish for Hoffenheim in 2007–08 has earned the club, and Rangnick, promotion to the Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
for the 2008–09 season.
On 1 January 2011 Rangnick resigned as head coach of Hoffenheim, citing the sale of Luis Gustavo to Bayern Munich, of which he had not been informed, as his reason for resigning from the club.
In March 2011, Rangnick was named as the replacement for Felix Magath
Felix Magath
Wolfgang-Felix Magath is a former German football central midfielder and current manager of VfL Wolfsburg.-Playing career:...
as manager of Schalke
FC Schalke 04
Fußball-Club Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04, commonly known as simply FC Schalke 04 or Schalke , is a German, association-football club originally from the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Schalke has long been one of the most popular football teams in Germany, even though major...
. Just weeks after being named the new Schalke manager, Rangnick led his old club to their first UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
semi-final by defeating holders Internazionale
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
with a 7-3 win on aggregate.
On September 22, 2011, Ralf Rangnick stepped down as Schalke's manager due to exhaustion syndrome
Post-viral fatigue syndrome
Post-viral fatigue syndrome is a condition or conditions characterized by fatigue following a viral infection. The term is not widely used, but the state of prolonged or severe fatigue after illness is not uncommon...
, stating that he currently does not have "the necessary energy to be successful and to develop the team and the club".
Trivia
- Owing to an appearance on a sports show on German TV in December 1998, in which he explained the tactics of a game extensively on a blackboard, he is until today - mostly dismissively - nicknamed the 'Football Professor'
- He has been named to appear on the cover of EA Sports' Fussball Manager 11 (known as FIFA Manager 11 to the rest of the world.)
- Rangnick is a trained school teacher. 'I knew that if I wanted to finish my studies and one day be able to read the 800 pages of Charles Dickens's Hard Times, I needed to have lived in England for a longer period of time,' Rangnick said.