Ex-Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst will not take over at Villarreal as the La Liga club turn to Spanish coach Pacheta.
The Spanish outfit have appointed the 55-year-old manager – whose full name is José Rojo Martín – until the end of the season following the sacking of Quique Setien.
The Villarreal move for ex-Real Valladolid and Elche boss Pacheta is considered something of a risk given the manager’s lack of big game experience.
In the modern era, Villarreal have always punched above their weight in Spain and are in the Europa League after a fifth place finish in La Liga last season.
Having lost three of their opening four league games this season the pressure is thoroughly on Pacheta, who will manage in continental competition for the first time this campaign.
The appointment also comes after links to ex-Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who was believed to be a candidate for the Villarreal job alongside ex-Spain coach Julian Lopetegui and legendary former Real Madrid striker Raul.
MORE RANGERS STORIES
Villarreal look elsewhere amid Giovanni van Bronckhorst links
Dutch coach Gio is still without a job after his Ibrox sacking last November as a lack of tactical identity, devastating injuries and resistance in the face of Celtic’s dominance ultimately cost him his job.
That’s despite the fact Van Bronckhorst guided Rangers to the Europa League Final in Seville against all the odds, even if the club ultimately succumbed to Eintracht Frankfurt in Spain.
The Rangers boss’ second half slip up of the 21/22 domestic campaign continues to irk fans and it’s interesting the Giovanni van Bronckhorst links to Villarreal come at this juncture.
Many Rangers fans have run of patience with Michael Beale as an end of days feel rings out at Ibrox following a stuttering start to the season.
Beale replaced Van Bronckhorst in the Ibrox hot seat and despite initially covering his domestic cup failures of the last campaign behind a lacklustre squad, the heat is on the Rangers manager.
Rangers have failed to qualify for the Champions League group stages – a feat Giovanni van Bronckhorst achieved last season against the same opposition – with the manner of the defeat to PSV worrying for fans.
Michael Beale has also been beaten twice in his opening four Scottish Premiership games this season, with a 1-0 loss to a makeshift Celtic side leading plenty to call for the Ibrox boss’ head.
Throw in the fact the £13m summer transfer business is yet to prove its worth, and it’s also got some asking why Giovanni van Bronckhorst never got the same backing in Glasgow.