Ralf Rangnick Named Interim Manager

Author: Leban Ahmed

After what was the final nail in the coffin for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, almost a week after an embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Watford, news has broken German manager Ralf Rangnick is likely to be named the interim manager of Manchester United. It is rumored he will occupy the position on a 6-month contract with another 2-year consultancy position waiting afterwards. This is a seriously competent decision for United ownership that both solves their managerial problem and their executive issues. Ralf has had experience rebuilding and managing multiple clubs in Germany and Russia for the past forty years. Rangnick will most likely be involved in appointing a permanent manager during the summer transfer window and assist the Director of Football moving forward. But what exactly does he bring? What does this mean for Manchester United? Season success? Long-term stability?

The exact effect a presence like his can have on the club won’t be known until he finally has time with the team. He is considered the “godfather” of the modern style of football with prominent managers Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel crediting him with their styles. From an executive perspective, he has been very successful with teams like RB Leipzig and Lokomotiv Moscow with both qualifying for European football in the last five years. Currently, the team lacks any type of tactical training or identity so having a sense of direction for the team can have an immediate effect on the results. United now is in a race for top-4 so securing as many points as possible should be first priority. It is very likely we see players finally being put in position to be as effective as possible which was a major concern under Ole. No matter what way you look at it, United is moving in a new direction with management but also organizationally. This decision could be the club making a legitimate attempt at being real forces in modern football.

What Is Up With The NFL This Year?

Author: Max Greenberg

In terms of figuring out who the clear Super Bowl contenders are, this NFL season has been an absolute mess. We are in Week 12 of the 2021 season, and right now, there is still not a team that stands out from the rest.

In the AFC, the Buffalo Bills’ lack of depth has seemingly caught up with them, the Tennessee Titans are dealing with injuries and lack of consistency, and the AFC East leading New England Patriots just do not have the talent that you would expect from a contender. Even the Kansas City Chiefs have more questions than answers right now, and the rest of the AFC West and AFC North look slated to take each other out as the season progresses.

In the NFC, the once clear favorite Los Angeles Rams have lost two straight and are in for another tough road matchup this week against the Green Bay Packers, who are also coming off of a loss. The defending Super Bowl Champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers have also struggled due to injuries and inconsistency, and the Arizona Cardinals have cooled off recently, mostly due to injuries, but their lack of discipline at critical times could end up costing them big time.

Right now, there is no point in making a prediction as to who is going to end up in the big game on February 6, because all this season has taught us is how pointless they are. The question is, how should we expect this NFL season to fare as compared to seasons prior?

Let’s start off by putting it this way -- in seven of the past eight seasons, at least one of the top seeds in each conference has been in the Super Bowl. And in the season that did not feature a top seed in the game, both of the second seeds were represented.

History indicates that you should expect that trend to continue, but look at what has happened this year. I will say that I have watched football for just over ten years and I have never seen the amount of parity that I have seen this year.

Right now, EVERY team that is or was supposed to be among the most feared has at least one legitimate knock on them. Whereas in seasons past where it seemed as if every team had at least one strength that could not be bested, that is not at all the case this year. Oh, and the seventeenth game for each team further complicates things, since teams could be a lot more tired heading into the postseason.

As far as this year’s playoffs go, it is looking like a completely clean slate. If there is any year that a number one seed is not going to make it to the Super Bowl, this is the year due to how much uncertainty there is.

It is tough if you are a fan of any of these teams that is supposed to be contending, but for the average fan and the NFL itself, this is about as great of a development as there could be. The football is going to be compelling, there is going to be lots of drama, and the fact that there is no clear favorite is going to make it that much more fun to watch.

Do you remember how the 2021 NBA Playoffs were so fun to watch because it was so unpredictable, making the basketball that much more competitive and interesting? That is what the NFL is looking like it is going to be come January.

Right now, we have no idea what to even expect when the big dance starts, and if there is any year that a team is going to come out of nowhere and win it all, this is it. Get your popcorn folks, this is going to be fun.

SPORTS ARE OUR UNIVERSE

2022 Cooperstown Hall of Fame Ballot

Author: Spencer Reyes

It’s that time of the year for baseball fans where not a lot is happening in the baseball world. While some key players are signing with their respective teams for the 2022 season, 30 former MLB all-stars are waiting to hear their name called on July 24th. 17 players will return on the ballot, which are headlined by Barry Bonds, Curt Schilling, Sammy Sosa, and Roger Clemens, who are all on their last year of eligibility on the ballot unless they play another season in the MLB to reset their clock. The other returning players are Scott Rolen, Omar Vizquel, Billy Wagner, Todd Helton, Gary Sheffield, Andruw Jones, Jeff Kent, Manny Ramirez, Andy Pettitte, Mark Buehrle, Torii Hunter, Bobby Abreu, and Tim Hudson. 13 new athletes will get a chance to be enshrined in Cooperstown, and it will be the beginning of many superstars who will clog up the Hall of Fame Ballot. The new players consist of Carl Crawford, Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard, Tim Lincecum, Justin Morneau, Joe Nathan, David Ortiz, Jonathan Papelbon, Jake Peavy, A.J. Pierzynski, Jimmy Rollins, Alex Rodriguez, and Mark Teixeira.

For those who don’t know, former MLB ballplayers need to have 15 years of MLB service, must be retired for at least 5 years, have 75% of the votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in order to qualify for Cooperstown. Here is the kicker, each voter from the BBWAA can only vote for 10 people on the list, and you don’t have to vote for 10 people, that is just the maximum. This rule keeps athletes on the ballot for prolonged periods of time. You can also only be on the ballot for 10 years, and I personally don’t think any of the 4 names I listed before will have at least 75% of the vote, especially with big names like Big Papi, A-Rod, Prince Fielder, and Ryan Howard joining the mix. I truly believe David Ortiz will get inducted this year, along with the possibilities of Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard either barley making or missing the cut. I’m not sure if Rodriguez will get enough voters to cast their ballot for him. All members of the BBWAA are writers and are part of the media. A-Rod was not received well during his time in the MLB by the media. He was very demanding behind the scenes and was linked to steroid usage, which has held back Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, and Mark McGuire. He has a better chance than the others at being inducted within his 10-year range, but I don’t think he will be a first ballot hall of famer. All we can do as baseball fans is wait until December 31st. Not only will it be New Year’s Eve, but it is the deadline for the BBWAA members to vote and send in their ballots. Stay tune3d to the Sport Universe as more baseball related news unfolds!

SPORTS ARE OUR UNIVERSE