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Rangnick adds Red Bull alumni to Manchester United coaching staff

Ralf Rangnick added some former colleagues to his coaching staff at Manchester United.  The Germ...



Rangnick adds Red Bull alumni...
Soccer

Rangnick adds Red Bull alumni to Manchester United coaching staff

Ralf Rangnick added some former colleagues to his coaching staff at Manchester United. 

The German has hired coach Chris Armas and sports psychologist Sascha Lense. Both have previously worked at Red Bull's network of clubs, one of Rangnick's most high profile employers.

First-team coach Kieran McKenna remains in situ, as does United's technical director Darren Fletcher - both of whom worked with Rangnick in preparation for last week's 1-0 win at home to Crystal Palace.

Mike Phelan also remains, but his role with the first-team has reportedly decreased in recent weeks.

Armas is a former United States international midfielder, who won 66 caps but was unlucky to miss out on the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.

After retiring as a player with Chicago Fire in 2007, he transitioned into an assistant coach's position with the MLS side.

Armas was promoted to the position of New York Red Bulls' head coach after recently-fired RB Leipzig boss Jesse Marsch left for Red Bull Salzburg.

He led them to a first place finish in the 2018 regular season of the Eastern Conference, before losing to Atlanta United.

After a disappointing couple of seasons in New York, Armas was hired as head coach of Toronto FC.

“Chris used to be the assistant coach at the New York Red Bulls under Jesse Marsch," said Rangnick on Tuesday, "That was five years ago, when I first met him. Since then we have met quite frequently.

"Also in my role as head of global for Red Bull in the last three-and-a-half years he was head coach for the New York Red Bulls and for Toronto in the MLS.”

Regarding the appointment of Lense, the United interim head coach said, "He's from Germany, he's a former Second Division player.

“I worked with him for three years at Leipzig, in the year I won promotion from the second to the first division myself and the following two years when Ralph Hasenhuttl was head coach and Zsolt Low – the current assistant coach of Thomas Tuchel – was assistant coach.

“We have known each other since then and he will be introduced to the team as soon as he's got his visa and work permit."

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Chris Armas Darren Fletcher Kieran McKenna Manchester United Mike Phelan RB Leipzig Ralf Rangnick