Manchester United ‘prepare to hire American coach Chris Armas’ as the first new member of Ralf Rangnick’s backroom staff, five months after he was sacked by Toronto FC following the biggest loss in their HISTORY
- American coach Chris Armas is set to join the Manchester United coaching staff
- The 49-year-old was fired by Toronto in July after less than six months in charge
- The club suffered the biggest loss in their history while under Armas’ tutelage
- He will now become the first new member of Ralf Rangnick’s backroom staff
- Armas was given his work permit on Tuesday after initially being denied one
- He was denied the work permit because he did not have a UEFA Pro License
Former Toronto FC manager Chris Armas is set to join the Manchester United coaching staff following the arrival of Ralf Rangnick.
Armas was fired by Toronto in July after less than six months in charge. During his time at the helm, Toronto suffered a 7-1 defeat to D.C. United – the worst margin in the club’s history.
Nevertheless, Armas will look to redeem himself at Manchester United after being recruited as the first new member of Rangnick’s backroom staff.
One big advantage to the move is that Rangnick and Armas already know each other, after previously working together at the New York Red Bulls.
Former Toronto FC manager Chris Armas (above) is set to join the United coaching staff
According to ESPN, Armas was given his work permit on Monday morning after initially being denied for not having a UEFA Pro License.
Having won his appeal, Armas will now line-up alongside Rangnick in the Manchester United dugout as the German’s assistant manager.
This is a huge opportunity for Armas who has been out of work since being fired by Toronto. But, the American will need to prove himself to the Manchester United faithful – having recorded one win, two draws and eight losses in MLS.
As a result, the American side found themselves bottom of the table before Armas was given his marching orders in July.
Rangnick previously said he would retain the majority of the club’s current backroom staff ‘because I need their experience and expertise.’ However, he did say he would hire ‘one or two’ additional staff members.
Speaking at his first press conference, Rangnick said: ‘I am more than happy to work with the current coaching staff because I need their experience and expertise regarding the current squad.
Armas will become Rangnick’s (middle) assistant manager after getting his work permit
The relationship between the pair dates back to their days the New York Red Bulls
‘I will obviously try to find one, two, maybe three people who can join us in the next one or two weeks but due to the Brexit regulations it is not that easy.
‘Many of my former colleagues, no matter if it is video analysts or assistant coaches, are in long-term contracts with big clubs, so they are not available right now. We have to be a little bit smart and clever and find the right people.
‘I hope that we can get them in here in the next one or two weeks but I cannot tell you any names.’
More to follow…
