‘He was successful everywhere’ – Austria stars hit back at Cristiano Ronaldo’s claims that former Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick was ‘not even a coach’
Austria Midfielders Xaver Schlager and Christoph Baumgartner have defended manager Ralf Rangnick following criticism from Cristiano Ronaldo.
The former Old Trafford interim boss came under fire during Ronaldo’s explosive TalkTV interview by claiming the 64-year-old was ‘not even a coach’ and that he'd never heard of him.
Rangnick left Manchester United at the end of last season to make way for Erik ten Hag’s arrival and took charge of the Austria national team in June.
In defence of his boss, Schlager praised Rangnick's football pedigree.
“I don't know Cristiano Ronaldo personally. I have no idea what got into him there,” he told Austrian newspaper .
“Everyone knows how much influence [Rangnick] had in Austria, at RB Leipzig and also in Salzburg.
“He was successful everywhere. He is a very great professional who has also changed football a bit.”
Schlager hinted that Ronaldo’s difficulty in adapting to Rangnick’s philosophy of pressing high up the pitch could have been the reason for Ronaldo’s opposition to him, whilst conceding players should always do their best conform to a coach’s ideas.
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“'If you do and play something from an early age, it's probably easier for you,” said Schlager. “In the end, you always have to do your best.
“It doesn't mean that something new is bad either. As a footballer, you should be ready to play anything.”
Meanwhile, Baumgartner also defended Rangnick and said: "He has already proven that he can not only build clubs, as he did with us in Hoffenheim, Leipzig, Salzburg or Red Bull in general.
"He has also had great success as a coach. That's where Cristiano Ronaldo's frustration comes from."
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