Ralf Rangnick was hoping to add good friend Gerhard Struber to his coaching staff at Manchester United but the former Barnsley boss has rejected the offer in favour of staying with New York Red Bulls
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New York Red Bulls boss Gerhard Struber has turned down the opportunity to join Ralf Rangnick’s coaching staff at Manchester United.
The Austrian, who Rangnick worked with at Red Bull Salzburg, has rejected the Red Devils in favour of remaining in charge of the Major League Soccer side.
After winning his first match on Sunday as United beat Crystal Palace 1-0, the German coach is keen to re-organise his backroom setup ahead of a hectic festive period – particularly following the exit of Michael Carrick.
But Struber, 44, will not be coming to Old Trafford, having instead elected to prolong his 14-month spell in MLS, which began after being headhunted by Red Bull during his spell as Barnsley boss last year.
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The former Tykes manager was a youth coach with Salzburg, where he finished his playing career in 2008, while Rangnick was Director of Football for the Red Bull group.
The Sun first reported that the Red Devils approached Struber last week but they were rebuffed.
It is also claimed that United were unwilling to pay a large compensation fee to the New York outfit in order to get the 44-year-old out of his contract two years early.
Struber has since commented on the situation and told Austrian Sky Sports : “There has been a request.
“It’s no secret that Ralf Rangnick and us know and appreciate us well and appreciate very much.
“At the same time I have in New York, which also makes me look very hopefully into the future and therefore I do not want to give up with New York overnight.
“I have a longer-term contract there and still have a lot of goals with an ambitious team.”
Rebuffed by Struber, Mirror Football understands that American coach Chris Armas is set to join Rangnick at Old Trafford.
Armas also worked with the new United boss as part of the Red Bull franchise from 2015 to 2020.
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The 49-year-old, who who 66 caps for the US during his playing days, is understood to have secured a work permit. Selected by Rangnick, Armas left Toronto in July and is poised to be one of Rangnick’s assistants.
Speculation has also risen in recent days that former RB Leipzig head coach Jesse Marsch may also be heading to Old Trafford.
Marsch, 48, was sacked by RBL on Sunday following an underwhelming start to his tenure in east Germany, losing his last three Bundesliga matches to leave Leipzig in 11th.
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