The former USA player has a relationship with Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick dating back to his New York Red Bull manager days, when the German was head of sport and development for Red Bull
Video Unavailable
Rangnick ‘couldn’t possibly turn down’ Man Utd role
Manchester United are set to appoint American coach Chris Armas as the first member of new interim manager Ralf Rangnick ‘s backroom staff.
Armas has been given his work permit and will now await official confirmation of his appointment by the club.
The American knows Rangnick from his days managing MLS side New York Red Bulls, when the German was appointed as head of sport and development for Red Bull GmbH between 2019-20 and was in charge of overseeing global football initiatives.
The 49-year-old was last employed at Toronto FC but was sacked after just six months in charge earlier this year following the club’s biggest ever defeat – when they lost 7-1 to D.C. United.
So who is Chris Armas? Here is all you need to know about United’s latest staff appointment as Rangnick looks to implement his gegenpress style at the club.
What do you make of this appointment by Man Utd? Have your say in the comments section below.
Who is Chris Armas?
Armas certainly isn’t a common household name but he has done plenty of work in the MLS during his career, both as a player and as a coach.
The 49-year-old operated as a midfielder during his 13-year playing career between 1994-2007. After starting out at Long Island Rough Riders in the lower divisions of the American football pyramid, he then spent a year at LA Galaxy, before spending the remainder of his career at Chicago Fire.
60 appearances for LA Galaxy between 1996-97 earned him a move to Chicago Fire, where he went on to total 273 appearances and scored 12 goals for the club.
Armas initially started his international career with Puerto Rico, appearing eight times, before switching allegiances to the United States and earning 66 caps for his country, scoring twice.
Heading down the coaching path in 2008 as an assistant coach at Chicago Fire, Armas has taken up similar roles with Adelphi Panthers women’s team and New York Red Bulls, before taking on the permanent managers position at the former.
This was followed by his brief stint at Toronto, before he was sacked after six months in charge.
What has he achieved
As a player, Armas won six trophies with Chicago Fire and was named in the MLS Best XI on five different occasions, along with featuring in the MLS All-Star squad six times.
He was also part of the USA team that won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2002 and 2005 and won the US Soccer Athlete of the Year in 2000.
When it comes to awards from the touchline, Armas has just one piece of silverware to his name, after winning the Supporters’ Shield with New York Red Bulls in 2018.
His record in his most recent role at Toronto reads at one win, eight draws and two defeats before his dismissal.
What will he bring to Old Trafford
Rangnick clearly rates the attributes of Armas and the two have previously worked alongside each other before, with the German believing that he can add quality to his backroom staff.
The German wants to implement his gegenpress style of play at Old Trafford and believes that Armas can be the man to help him do this, despite the American not holding a UEFA Pro License.
The 49-year-old did produce an impressive record at New York Red Bulls, however, and will also be looking to redeem himself from his Toronto spell when he links up with Rangnick again in England.
Read More
Read More
