It doesn't take a genius to know that Ralf Rangnick's spell at Manchester United was anything other than a failure.
The interim boss was unable to tame the dressing room which had all sorts of problems in, and despite a promising start, his footballing ideologies were not apparent whatsoever once United entered the final stretch of the campaign.
One shining light remained to the appointment of the German though. It seemed that Rangnick knew the problems in the club and had the CV to help change the institution around from a position higher up.
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The Reds had agreed a two-year consultancy role for their interim manager once he finished the season, so that he could be in a position where his use would be far greater to the club than in the hotseat.
However, he never got the chance. Rangnick left the club after a mutual agreement late last month, only weeks after he agreed to become Austria's head coach.
It was originally said that he'd be able to balance the two jobs, but it quickly became apparent that this would've been a reason behind his departure.
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Erik ten Hag, new Manchester United manager, could've also had a say. He answered bluntly when asked about the role of the German once he entered the building, and told media that it was the boards decision what Rangnick would be doing.
A difference in visions could've been a factor, but the German philosopher has caught major flack since. Something that his new international captain wholeheartedly disagrees with.
David Alaba has just won the Champions League with Real Madrid, but knew the manager since his early years in Germany.
While Alaba was dominating the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, Rangnick was showing his talents at both Hoffenheim and the RB groups. The former being the club that Alaba went on loan to, just months after Rangnick left for Schalke.
“He has been really good,” David Alaba told The Athletic, “you can see we have a really good plan and you can see it works for us on the pitch. He doesn’t want us to let the opponents breathe air. It is good for us.
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“I have known Ralf since I was 18 years old and he is a world-class coach,” Alaba stated. “What he did in the past is something special and now I am seeing it close up. He showed what he can do at Leipzig, Salzburg and Hoffenheim.
“He didn’t have a lot of time in Manchester. He has a really good plan and knows a lot about football.”
Austria won their opening Nations League fixture under Rangnick in spectacular fashion. Demolition of 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia led to a 3-0 victory for Rangnick in his debut match in charge.
The following game on Sunday sent the Austrian's back down to earth, with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Denmark, however it was fortunate for The Danes that Jens Stryger Larsen was able to produce a stunning winner in the closing stages of the match.
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The report from The Athletic say that behind the scenes, Rangnick is already trying to make his mark by putting forward suggestions on how to improve the national team — and he is being backed up by senior players.
Sources close to the dressing room have also said that the Austrian squad have already bought into Rangnick's plans, with there thought to be no issues in regard to his unsuccessful Old Trafford spell.
A far cry from his time in Manchester, where dressing rooms leaks were passed around the media every other moment.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: David Alaba, Ralf Rangnick, Manchester United, Austria