"That was missed"

Rangnick, Haaland – and Meisterteller in Leipzig?

Ralf Rangnick would once have liked to see Erling Haaland at Leipzig.

(Bild: APA/MAX SLOVENCIK, AP)

"I think so." Ralf Rangnick replied when asked by BildTV whether RB Leipzig would have been champions if he had not left the club in 2019. However, Erling Haaland also plays a role in Rangnick's thesis.

Specifically, it went like this. The presenter threw the following thesis at studio guest Rangnick regarding his utilization: "With Ralf Rangnick, RB Leipzig would have won the German championship at least once." Rangnick's short reply: "That's right." Then he dived into the explanation. "But it also depends in which role and which function." He probably wouldn't have won the title on his own. Why is he still convinced that it would have been possible? "Because they missed out on signing Erling Haaland back then."

Dortmund instead of Leipzig
Rangnick alludes to the winter of 2019. Back then, Haaland, who had previously scored holes in the nets for Salzburg, moved to Dortmund. And not to Leipzig. At that time, Raiola was not yet Haaland's advisor. The knowledge of Haaland's exit clause for 20 million was available, but was not used.

Erling Haaland has long been feared all over the world.

(Bild: AFP or licensors)

Rangnick's thesis: "If Haaland had been given a five-year contract at the time, we would definitely have become German champions." Of course, it can no longer be verified: Haaland moved via Dortmund to Manchester City, where he became perhaps the best striker in the world. Rangnick, on the other hand, finally retired from Leipzig in 2019, having previously worked as sports director and twice as coach. He coached Manchester United in 2021 and has been Austrian team manager since 2022.