As Rangers manager Steven Gerrard reportedly closes in a move to Aston Villa attention will quickly turn as to who will replace the Gaffer at Ibrox – with ex-Gers star Giovanni van Bronckhorst touted as an option.
Fans are certainly split regarding Gerrard’s proposed exit with plenty frustrated at talk of the Gers manager jumping ship mid-season and others more reflective on the progress under Stevie G.
But whatever the case, if Gerrard is to go to Villa this week, then Rangers will be under pressure to find a suitable replacement in good time.
Ross Wilson is the man who’ll be tasked with finding the next manager of Rangers regardless if it’s this week or in 2024 when Gerrard’s contract is up.
But is former Rangers player Gio the clear and obvious leading candidate to take the role should Stevie G hand over the Ibrox mantle?
Is ex-Rangers star Giovanni van Bronckhorst a good fit at a post-Gerrard Ibrox?
Giovanni van Bronckhorst spent three years at Ibrox at the turn of the millennium and is well-aware of the stature and expectations at the club.
Rangers need a strong appointment in what is a high-pressure season with a lot at stake and given the free-flowing, dynamic nature – or at least proposed nature – of the Ibrox side, the former Feyenoord manager ticks a lot of boxes.
GVB steered the Eredivisie side to their first Championship in 18 years during his time as manager there – playing a 4-3-3 – and this proves his trophy credentials.
Joining the City Group in a mysterious coaching role upon leaving de Kuip in 2019, there’s some speculation that the Dutchman is Pep Guardiola’s long-term successor.
However, in January 2020 GVB, 42, would take up a role in China with Guangzhou, finishing 11th in his only season before leaving the role in December.
Gio has 106 caps for the Dutch national team, formerly played with Arsenal – whom he left Ibrox for in an £8.5m deal – and Barcelona, and he is one of the most respected young coaches around.
He’d be a big-name appointment and for many, a suitable one to replace Gerrard.
Who else could Rangers move for to fill the managerial hotseat?
The Scottish sports press have had some fun linking Rangers to a major downgrade and moves for the likes of Derek McInnes and Robbie Neilson but being real, there are some good options out there and Rangers are an attractive job.
Other names include Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, ex-Gers midfielder Rino Gattuso, ex-Villa boss Dean Smith, ex-Norwich Daniel Farke and ex-Dortmund boss Lucien Favre.
For many – in a pivotal season – these names represent something a little more left of field who have minimal experience, if any, of the game in Scotland.
This leads to a suggestion Rangers could call on an experienced head to manage the side through until the end of the campaign; Alex Neil is the name most associated with this line of thinking.
Talk of Mick Beale also seems cheap with the Ibrox assistant – and the rest of the backroom team – reportedly part of the Aston Villa package.
The players in this Gers team were also lured by a big name like Gerrard and to stimulate this squad then you get the feeling some authority, stature and excitement may be required.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst knows Rangers, is an exciting young coach and is a big name in football. Does he tick all the boxes?
Rangers fans have been reacting to a clip of Steven Gerrard arriving in London as they begin to fear the worst.
