Rangers have not honed in on one specific manager candidate amid reports linking the Gers to Steven Gerrard and Davide Ancelotti.
Jim White had hinted Gerrard is close to a Rangers return, with Steven Davis and Jordan Henderson apparently in line to become his assistants.
At the same time, Leicester City interest in Russell Martin has cooled Rangers links to the ex-Southampton boss.
These claims effectively poured cold water on the suggestions that Davide Ancelotti is set to takeover at Ibrox, the Real Madrid coach taking his first steps into football management.
But a report in leading Spanish newspaper El Pais has suggested that things are certainly not as they appear when it comes to the next Rangers manager.
Davide Ancelotti in ‘advanced talks’ with Rangers
El Pais believe that Davide Ancelotti is ready to take his first steps into management as his father Carlo prepares to leave Real Madrid.
Ancelotti Jnr, 35, has been working under his legendary father at the Bernabeu and has also had experience working with Napoli, PSG, Bayern Munich and Everton.
Speaking five languages, Ancelotti’s ‘cerebral’ approach to the game makes him one of European football’s most sought-after coaches and Rangers are said to be leading the pack.
El Pais believe the Ibrox side have stolen a march on other options, with Ancelotti courting interest from Serie A side Como and two teams in Spain.
It’s said that Ancelotti ‘isn’t looking for the best team but the right team’ as he prepares to take the first step in his managerial journey, with Rangers in ‘advanced talks’.
Rangers have ‘no preferred manager candidate’ as things stand
Chris Jack and the Rangers Review believe that Rangers are not currently set to announce their new manager this week.
The report has pulled the brakes on the club’s managerial appointment, with club sources insisting ‘several candidates’ remain involved in the process.
It’s claimed that Rangers have ‘no preferred candidate’ – silencing the claims of Jim White – and that no contract offer has been tabled.
Negotiations are expected to continue this week with an idea of who will be the next permanent manager of Rangers set to become clearer over the next seven days or so.
