Ralf Rangnick

Architect of Gegenpressing and Red Bull's football empire

Ralf Dietrich Rangnick (born 29 June 1958) is a German football coach, executive, and former player who is the head coach of the Austria national team.

Quick Facts

Full name: Ralf Dietrich Rangnick
Born: 29 June 1958
Birthplace: Backnang, West Germany
Height: 1.81 m / 5 ft 11 in
Position: Defensive midfielder
Current club: Austria (head coach)

Lore & Background

Rangnick began his coaching career in 1983, succeeding his career as a player, at age 25. In 1997, he was hired by former club Ulm 1846, with whom he won the Regionalliga Süd in his debut season. Rangnick was then appointed by Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart, winning the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2000, but was dismissed in 2001. He subsequently joined Hannover 96, winning the 2.

Bundesliga, but was dismissed in 2004. After a brief period with Schalke 04, Rangnick joined TSG Hoffenheim in 2006, and achieved successive promotions to the Bundesliga. He departed the club in 2011 and returned to Schalke 04, where he won the 2011 DFB-Pokal and reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. He later served as head coach at RB Leipzig across two periods between 2015 and 2019.

Rangnick joined Red Bull as director of football in 2012, helping oversee their expansion into European football. He resigned from Red Bull in 2020 and joined Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow as manager of sports and development in 2021. Later that year, Rangnick was appointed as interim manager of Manchester United until the end of the 2021–22 season, following which he took charge of the Austria national team.

Reader's Guide

Rangnick is credited with developing the Gegenpressing tactic, whereby the team, after losing possession, immediately attempts to win back possession, rather than falling back to regroup. His sides have been noted for their pressing and high attacking output, as well as for popularising zonal marking. He is credited for influencing Thomas Tuchel, Julian Nagelsmann and Jürgen Klopp, among others.

Did You Know?

Rangnick began his playing career at VfB Stuttgart, but his playing career was short-lived and primarily concentrated in Germany, including a stint at English club Southwick while studying at the University of Sussex.
Rangnick was one of the first coaches to publicise football tactics, notably during a ZDF SportsStudio TV broadcast in December 1998, earning him the nickname 'professor'.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Ralf Rangnick at RB Leipzig?

He served as both head coach and sporting director for the club during two separate stints from 2015 to 2019. His influence laid the foundation for the team's rapid rise through the German football pyramid.

What tactical style is Ralf Rangnick known for?

He is widely credited with popularizing 'Gegenpressing', a strategy where teams immediately try to win back possession right after losing it. This aggressive approach became central to Leipzig's identity during his tenure.

What happened during his time at Leipzig between 2015 and 2019?

Rangnick oversaw the club's promotion to the top flight before stepping down as coach, later returning in a dual executive capacity. His leadership ensured stability while implementing modern footballing standards across the organization.

Where did Ralf Rangnick go after leaving RB Leipzig?

Following his departure from Saxony, he continued managing other clubs and is currently serving as the head coach of the Austria national team. His legacy remains defined by the systems he built in Germany throughout his career.