AZ Alkmaar manager Pascal Jansen claims he was “flattered” to be linked with the Rangers job prior to the appointment of Philippe Clement.
The Dutch manager, 50, has also claimed that the reports took him by “surprise” given the stature and nature of the job in Glasgow.
But speaking with Sky Sports, Pascal Jansen didn’t give the impression that he had held talks with the vacant position at Ibrox before the Gers eventually settled on Belgian boss Philippe Clement.
Reports had suggested that Pascal Jansen was one of four names being closely considered for the Rangers job, joining Clement, Kevin Muscat and Oliver Glasner on a final shortlist.
“That Rangers talk caught me by surprise,” said Jansen. “It flatters me, of course, because Rangers are a massive club and I have dreams and ambitions.
“But it does not make me do my job differently. I just keep working hard to make my players better than yesterday.
“I am very happy with this job at the moment, working at a fantastic club, working with elite players and helping to improve young players. Even though we are a smaller club than the other three and we have a far lower budget, we are still trying to achieve silverware.”
AZ boss Pascal Jansen talks Rangers expectations
The Rangers links to Pascal Jansen came with the AZ Alkmaar boss having his current club punch firmly above their weight in the Netherlands this season.
Having taken charge of AZ back in 2020, over the last three seasons Pascal Jansen has moulded his team into one of the country’s top sides; despite being one of the Netherlands’ more provincial senior clubs.
AZ Alkmaar are currently 2nd in the Eredivisie table, two points off leaders PSV Eindhoven, and are very much in the title hunt this season.
It also helps that familiar Champions League foes Ajax are in disarray.
Despite this, legendary Dutchman Ruud Gullit appeared to question Pascal Jansen’s suitability for the job given the differences in expectations at Rangers and AZ.
It’s something which Pascal Jansen commented on in the interview.
“It was interesting to hear,” said Jansen.
“There are clubs that are must-win clubs, I realise that. But I know that the pressure within AZ is always there. The pressure I put on myself every day is far more pressure than anyone could imagine.”
Pascal Jansen was speaking to Sky Sports ahead of AZ’s Europa Conference League clash with Premier League outfit Aston Villa this week
