Rafael Benitez is the latest manager to be linked with the Rangers job as Barry Ferguson tries to work out how to stop the rot at Ibrox.
Philippe Clement has said goodbye to Rangers fans as Rangers legend Ferguson struggles to turn it around in a confidence-sapped Ibrox dressing room.
With a US-led takeover on the horizon, change is set to follow at Rangers with the Daily Record officially naming Rafael Benitez as a potential option as manager.
The report – based on quotes by journalist Scott Burns – claim that whilst there is yet to be any contact between the parties the Ibrox club’s new owners are ‘looking at’ Benitez as a genuine option.
Rafa is certainly a big name but it’s not the first time the 64-year-old ex-Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle United manager has been linked with a move to Scotland.
Rangers-linked Rafael Benitez sent Celtic message
Rangers fans might remember Celtic being strongly linked with a move for Rafael Benitez in the Daily Mail back in January 2021 with the pressure mounting on Neil Lennon.
Back then the Spaniard was touted as being a potential option for Rangers’ Old Firm rivals alongside the likes of now Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe.
Whilst the Parkhead club would eventually plunge for Ange Postecoglou, Rafael Benitez was asked about his next move that March after Lennon was sacked in February.
Here’s what the Spaniard said when asked about his next challenge by the Times in 2021:
“A competitive team that allows you to challenge for trophies, or a project that allows you to improve and grow and do better.
“The priority is England. Why? Because obviously I like the Premier League and my family is here.
“I have a lot [of offers] from the Emirates, United States, Brazil, China, but I want to stay in Europe. And I want to stay in England.
“If it’s the right one, we can do it tomorrow but the project, the competitive team, is not there at the moment so we have to wait. But I don’t want to stay without working.
“I want to be on the pitch as soon as possible.”
Benitez wound up agreeing to a controversial return to Merseyside in June later that year, the former Liverpool crossing the city’s divide to sign with fierce rivals Everton.
Who is in next Rangers manager discussion?
Rafael Benitez is certainly one of the most interesting names doing the rounds when it comes to who will be next to fill the manager’s chair at Rangers.
The Spaniard has managed at the top level with experience spanning some of the biggest clubs in England, Italy, Spain and China.
Benitez has won five continental trophies, including the Champions League (Liverpool, 04/05) and FIFA Club World Cup (Inter Milan 09/10), across four teams (the other trophies being the UEFA Cup with Valencia in 03/04, the Europa League with Chelsea in 12/13 and the Super Cup with Liverpool in 05/06).
Whilst the former Real Madrid youth has won domestic trophies with Liverpool, Inter and Napoli, Benitez hasn’t lifted a league title since his second of two championship victories with Valencia in 03/04.
The former defender also led Newcastle United to a crucial promotion in 16/17, making Benitez one of the most high profile out-of-work managers in the game.
But the ex-Dalian Professional manager isn’t the only name who is being discussed amongst Rangers fans.
Interim coach Barry Ferguson suffered a big blow in his hopes to land the job full-time with the weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Motherwell at Ibrox.
But so long as Ferguson is in post there will remain discussions around his credentials as manager.
Assistant manager Issame Charai is also routinely mentioned, with ex-Everton boss Sean Dyche and ex-Rangers manager Steven Gerrard currently free agents.
Russell Martin has also been lauded by Andy Halliday despite the ex-Southampton boss being an unpopular choice amongst fans.
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes is never far from the discussion at Rangers whilst Kevin Muscat is a popular option amongst many supporters.
