Interim Managers : They Do The Dirty Work For You But They're Not Useless

Having an interim or short-term manager in a club does not make a big difference in the club. They don't get a squad or a player of their choice. That's why expecting such managers will remember themselves by winning a big trophy while on duty is quite a impossible bet. However, the interim managers made a mark on the minds of the fans through one job, which is to give a chance to the team's young emerging footballers who have become "fan-favorites" later.

Tim Sherwood, for example, was Tottenham's manager for just six months. At that point he gave Harry Kane a chance at the first team for multiple games in a row the first time. You can most certainly say that was Harry Kane's breakthrough in the face of English football. We all know where and what he's doing now. Tim Sherwood's job at Villa Park, or Aston Villa I must say, lasted only eight months. He didn't win any fancy trophies there too. Rather he did one thing there and people will remember him for it. And that was to rely on young Jack Grealish. Who we know today is the English transfer record at 100 million pounds. Currently playing at Manchester City. Arsenal legend Freddie Ljunberg handled the Arsenal dug-out for a few matches after Unai Emery was sacked. Mesut Ozil, who was out of form at the time, was replaced by Emile Smith Rowe of the academy. Today, Smith Rowe owns Arsenal's No. 10 jersey, an integral part of the Arsenal team. Yes, another player complemented by an interim manager. Peter Taylor was named manager of the England national team in the year 2000 for just one match. In that friendly match against Italy, Peter Taylor gave the armband of the England national team to David Beckham, which was a very unexpected decision because in club football, Beckham was never considered a captain. But Beckham's role as captain turned and changed him for the better. Made Beckham a more complete player. Beckham led the England national team for another six years.

Ralf Rangnik's six months as interim manager have left United with nothing to remember. Even though it's still not over. But we can safely say United will go this season without seeing any silverware whatsoever. But one of the reasons that Ralf Rangnik will be remembered is that this time he has made Anthony Elanga a regular in the team. Although Anthony Elanga made his debut under Ole. Elanga's first goal for United too also came during Ole's tenure as manager. But before Ralf Rangnik became manager this season, Elanga got a chance in the first team for only 17 minutes, against West Ham in the Carabao Cup. Whereas Ralf Rangnik fielded Elanga in his first match as United manager. Elanga has had the opportunity to play in 18 of the 20 matches played under Ralph this season. He was also in the starting XI in 9 of those matches. Elanga has scored three goals for United during this time, including a goal against Atletico Madrid in the champions league that was the equalizer for United that day. With Marcus Rashford's off form, Mason Greenwood's unavailability to prison fc. (Pun intended) and Anthony Martial on loan in Sevilla now for the rest of the season, Anthony Elanga is definitely Ralf Rangnik's first choice for the XI. For the first time, Elanga has been called up to the Swedish national team as a reward for getting regular opportunities at Manchester United. The Swedish manager is confident of keeping him in the squad for the World Cup qualifiers.

Elanga is a very talented footballer, no doubt about it. But if Elanga can be a big footballer in the future, then Ralf Rangnik's tenure as United's interim manager will be remembered only because of Elanga.

That is how it mostly is. Works of interim managers almost always get unnoticed. Because most of the times their job is to steady a sinking ship. But we should appreciate them for the raw talents to gift us for the following years to come.