How incoming Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick TWICE almost became Everton boss

He's dominating the back pages, filling the column inches and seems to be mentioned in just about every other tweet.

There's been much talk of who will replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United after his sacking last week.

PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino was heavily linked, as was Ajax chief Erik ten Hag.

However, it's Ralf Rangnick who is poised to take over the reins at Old Trafford for the remainder of the season.

The German looks set to become United's new interim manager as they search for a long-term successor.

Rangnick's reputation in football needs no introduction. He's regarded as one of the great modern-day pioneers. He's famed as the 'Godfather of the Gegenpress' which is a tactic that's influenced Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel.

Rangnick's time have chiefly been spent in his homeland, having been in charge of Stuttgart, Hannover, Hoffenheim, Schalke and RB Leipzig.

He'll leave his role as head of sports and development at Russian outfit Lokomotiv Moscow to move to England for the first time in his 38-year coaching career.

However, things could have been so different had Rangnick ended up at Everton.

He's been in the reckoning to become Goodison Park supremo twice previously, while he was linked again last summer.

Moyes' successor

David Moyes is regarded as one of the greatest managers in Toffees history. On a limited budget, he continually punched above his weight while in the driving seat between 2002-2013, reaching the FA Cup final and securing a fourth-place finish.

The lure of Man Utd prised Moyes away, though. All of a sudden, Everton had a managerial search on their hands for the first time in 11 years.

Rangnick was one of the candidates. He flew into London to meet then-chairman Bill Kenwright. Metro reported he left a glowing impression.

However, it was Roberto Martinez who the Blues instead opted for, having been the heavy favourite after guiding Wigan Athletic to FA Cup glory.

The Spaniard just missed out on Champions League football in his maiden campaign but things would eventually peter out. Martinez was sacked in May 2016.

Ancelotti preferred

Everton had to endure a period of managerial instability after Martinez's axing.

Ronald Koeman, Sam Allardyce and Marco Silva all tried their hand in a bid to bring success back to Goodison. All fell well short.

Silva was axed in November 2019 and the hunt was on yet again.

According to The Telegraph, Rangnick came on Everton's radar yet again.

He was said to be interviewed by the hierarchy - but they instead opted for a big-hitting name.

Carlo Ancelotti landed the role but left a lot to be desired. The three-time Champions League-winning manager last just 18 months on Merseyside.

He left to return to Real Madrid last summer after a disappointing 10th-place finish.

Third time unlucky

Rafa Benitez was the man who Everton turned to after Ancelotti's surprise departure.

The likes of Nuno Espirito Sanchez, Christophe Galtier, a Moyes return and a shock move for Steven Gerrard were all mentioned as potential candidates beforehand, though.

Rangnick's name was also mooted in the long list but nothing came to fruition.

When do Everton play Man Utd?

The Toffees fought back to earn a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in October.

Rangnick will take his troops to Goodison on Saturday 9 April.

Had things worked out differently, he could well have been standing in the home technical area.