Ex-Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is installed as the early favourite for the manager’s job in Govan as the Ibrox club sack Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
The Gers have decided to part ways with the Dutch coach after a disastrous Scottish Premiership campaign where poor performances in the early part of the season have heralded poor results ahead of the World Cup break.
Rangers fans were vocal about a lack of distinct identity under Giovanni van Bronckhorst and whilst the manager kept pace with Celtic in the early part of the season, things have quickly fallen apart.
The Gers were also humbled 4-0 at Celtic Park earlier in the season, the second time during Van Bronckhorst’s reign where his team has collapsed at the home of our rivals.
Amid a genuinely unlucky run of injuries at Rangers, the club also dropped points in three of their last five Premiership matches, losing to St Johnstone and drawing with St Mirren and Livingston to fall nine points behind in the title race.
Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst sacked
Van Bronckhorst also oversaw an unacceptable collapse in the Premiership last season, the club going from six points in front of Celtic to six points behind under the Dutchman’s watch to surrender the league title.
Couple this with Rangers earning the unwanted moniker of the Champions League’s worst-ever performing team, the club utterly humiliated by Ajax, Napoli and Liverpool, and the the writing appeared on the wall.
Kudos must go to Giovanni van Bronckhorst after he was sacked by Rangers for that monumental Europa League Final run, and for ending our baron Scottish Cup spell, but his reign will also be remembered for disjointed, uninspiring performances and an inability to match Celtic’s intensity domestically.
Rangers took to their official website to announce that Giovanni van Bronckhorst had been sacked and thanked the ex-Arsenal and Barcelona star for his service.
“I want to thank Gio for the hard work he has put in over the last 12 months and, especially, the achievements of taking the club to the Europa League final and winning the Scottish Cup last season,” said chairman Douglas Park [Rangers].
“Unfortunately, recent results have not met neither our nor Gio’s expectations, and we have taken this difficult decision today. Everyone at Rangers wishes Gio every success in the future.”
Ex-England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard – the man Van Bronckhorst replaced at Ibrox – has been installed as the early favourite to take the reins at Rangers with QPR boss Michael Beale and ex-Burnley manager Sean Dyche next in line.
Meanwhile, Rangers might’ve signed one player who turned out in the World Cup opener had things gone differently for the winger.