Ralf Rangnick’s approach at Manchester United has come under close scrutiny following a fortunate escape against Newcastle United with a 1-1 draw.
The abysmal display from United saw Rangnick’s side trail 1-0 at the break at St James’ Park, raising waves of concern regarding the German’s tactics from all around, but for a bizarre remark from Martin Tyler that seemed to suggest the veteran commentator believed otherwise.
The 76-year-old wasted no time in producing a howler regarding United’s new interim head coach literally just minutes into the game.
Tyler was heard referring to Rangnick as “the godfather of German football”, a contentious statement that perhaps nobody saw coming.
No doubt, Rangnick arrived at Old Trafford with serious credentials, having displayed his managerial prowess while at clubs like RB Leipzig and Schalke 04.
But even so, fans online weren’t buying into Tyler’s monumental hyperbole and flooded social media spaces en masse with complaints and memes.
“Has never won a trophy,” claimed one fan, while another posted a screengrab of Rangnick’s managerial honours, which merely included 6 titles.
Took Martin Tyler 45 seconds to name Ralf Rangnick – who has never won a trophy & whose only claim to fame is that he's met Klopp & Tuchel – as "the godfather of german football"#NEWMUN
— benny (@KenobiMBE) December 27, 2021
This is who Martin Tyler thinks is “The Godfather of German Football” 🤣 pic.twitter.com/yBGK1RLrs4
— TLK (@Tlkkltk) December 27, 2021
While there’s no denying Rangnick’s capabilities, it’s a bit of a stretch to call him “the godfather of German football”, even by Tyler’s standards, as one fan rightly pointed out.
The godfather of German football? Good grief, even by Martin Tyler's standards that's ridiculous hyperbole.
— Rags (@Rags326) December 27, 2021
And although actually regarded as the “godfather” by a coterie of fans and journalists, the general consensus remains largely at odds.
Crying that Sky just called Rangick ‘the godfather of German football’ and they’re dead serious 🤣
— Dan Watson (@danwatson123) December 27, 2021
“The Godfather of German Football” according to Tyler. WTF
— TonyMac (@TonyMac16002346) December 27, 2021
The Godfather of German football having his kecks pulled down by Joelinton & Allan Saint Maximan.
— Gilles (@GillesOffTheWeb) December 27, 2021
“The Godfather of German football” according to Martin Tyler, man has no shame ! #NEWMUN
— Shaun (@tuisc) December 27, 2021
Sure, Rangnick is credited with developing the Gegenpressing style of “heavy metal” football, but that simply isn’t enough, given the likes of Hennes Weisweiler and Ottmar Hitzfeld, among others, are far more deserving of the designation.
United have played 4 games in all competitions under Rangnick so far, winning 2 and drawing the other 2, with still a lot of room for improvement to show for.
