Ralf Rangnick: the “architect of success” arrived in 2006 and managed to take Hoffenheim from the third tier to the Bundesliga in just two seasons. After promotion to the second division came an immediate march into the Bundesliga. After four and a half successful years, though, the relationship ended in a row.
The trigger was the sale of Luiz Gustavo to Bayern Munich in winter, a deal Rangnick did not want to accept. He fought to keep the player, but Hopp wanted to strengthen the club’s finances. Rangnick had already spent many millions on new players in his spell, but Hopp now set new priorities.
Those conflicting philosophies brought about a split.
