Rangers are on the hunt for the club’s next permanent manager following the sacking of Philippe Clement.
The Belgian was Rangers’ fourth boss in three-and-a-half years and follows Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale in being given his jotters at Ibrox.
It never worked out for the ex-Club Brugge boss in Glasgow but at least Clement penned a nice goodbye to Rangers fans.
Barry Ferguson has impressed since being named interim Rangers manager and Ibrox fans are keeping a close eye on how Baz does in this three month audition.
With the US takeover of Rangers in the post, no decisions are expected to be made before it’s complete.
Rangers are also hunting a new sporting director to finally replace Ross Wilson in Glasgow, with the incoming executive to play a role in appointing the new boss.
Naturally, there is plenty of speculation around who might or might not be named the next Rangers manager and here’s the latest news surrounding the role.
Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard has been mentioned in the next Rangers manager discussion pretty much since the ink dried on Philippe Clement’s termination.
The former Rangers manager is the only Ibrox gaffer except from the late, great Walter Smith to lift a Scottish league title in the last 15 years.
Rangers News has learned that Gerrard would be interested in a return to Ibrox but there are issues surrounding a potential tax liability on his return to the UK.
Gerrard left Al-Ettifaq earlier in the season having spent the last season-and-a-half in charge of the Saudi Pro League club.
A popular choice amongst some, others might struggle to forgive Gerrard for the manner of his mid-season exit for Aston Villa in 2021.
Rafael Benitez
Rafael Benitez is certainly one of the more interesting names being mentioned alongside the Rangers manager’s gig.
Reports have suggested that Benitez has been discussed by the 49ers ahead of their proposed takeover at Rangers in the coming months.
Morton manager Dougie Imrie was on a coaching course with the Spaniard this week and claims he did speak to the ex-Liverpool, Inter and Real Madrid coach about the Rangers gig.
Speaking after a coaching course in Geneva, Imrie claims Benitez admitted he’d ‘heard the speculation but that is as far as he went’ (Scottish Sun).
Benitez might now be 62, but the legendary former Valencia manager has coached at the highest level and is a born winner.
Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho is set to visit Ibrox this week but the Special One will be in the away dressing room as Fenerbahce look to spark a comeback against Rangers.
Rangers currently lead the Portuguese manager’s side 3-1 after a superb first leg victory in Turkey but the Europa League clash remains in the balance.
Jose Mourinho has hinted he’d be interested in the Rangers job but was clear that a switch to Scottish football would have to come when the time is right.
Mourinho always has one eye on the future, but one journalist in Turkey reckons Jose is ‘under pressure’ to deliver at Fenerbahce even if he is a popular figure in Istanbul.
Whilst we don’t suspect Jose will be in the running for the Ibrox gig this time round, watch this space…
Derek McInnes
Derek McInnes’ name is never too far away from the Rangers manager’s job with Ally McCoist Del’s biggest fan.
But the former St Johnstone, Bristol City, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock manager isn’t quite as glamorous as some of the other names on this list.
McInnes infamously turned down the Rangers manager’s job back in 2017 and plenty of fans believe the former Ibrox midfielder’s opportunity has now passed him by.
But with McInnes one of the most respected coaches in the country – and a former Gers player to boot – the links to Ibrox aren’t without substance.
There’s a sentiment amongst coaches that McInnes is actually underrated as a manager amongst fans and Barry Ferguson is also a big fan.
Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard might’ve been Rangers manager back in October 2023 but the Gers instead plunged for Philippe Clement.
Now at Coventry City, it did take some time for Lamps to get back on the sideline but the England and Chelsea legend has wasting no time making an impression.
Coventry have now won nine league games out of the last 10, a club record, and Lampard has his sights set on Premier League promotion.
It turns out Graeme Sounness might’ve been right about Lampard all along with the 46-year-old almost certainly out of the Ibrox running.
The situation just goes to highlight how crucial it is Rangers get their next managerial appointment correct.
