Al-Nassr manager Rudi Garcia has confirmed that he held talks with Manchester United last season before the 20-time English champions made the decision to hire Ralf Rangnick as interim manager.
After Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure, Garcia was one of the mentioned targets along with former interim boss Rangnick.
Rangnick finally took the reins temporarily at Old Trafford and to say his spell at the club was disastrous would be an understatement.
Rangnick oversaw the club’s worst result in terms of points in the Premier League era.
Under his guidance, the Red Devils finished in sixth position, good enough for a Europa League berth.
The German coach’s time on the bench was plagued with player malaise, constant stories of a turbulent locker room and players knocking over tools.
Just before the season was halted, United confirmed that Rangnick would not be taking up his advisory role, instead devoting his time entirely to managing the Austria national team.
According to Garcia, everything could have been different since he was close to landing the lucrative temporary position.
Garcia said: “They [Manchester United] I chose Ralf Rangnick, but I met twice with John Murtough and Darren Fletcher.”
“I was very close to coaching this club and I was very motivated to go.”
“Who wouldn’t be motivated to coach United? Any coach.
???? Rudi Garcia: “They [#MUFC] I chose Ralf Rangnick, but I met twice with John Murtough and Darren Fletcher. I was very close to coaching this club and I was very motivated to do it. Who wouldn’t be motivated to coach United? Any coach.” @diarioas ✅ pic.twitter.com/OkPT0Kd4tb
— UtdPlug (@UtdPlug) December 14, 2022
Garcia also added that United’s interest in him has informed his ambitions ever since, a likely reference to the fact that he could be open to managing the Red Devils in future if the opportunity presented itself a second time.
