Pedro Caixinha’s success with Cruz Azul is terrific, but it can’t be construed as a mistake on Rangers’ part.
The Portuguese tactician has managed to bag himself a championship final in the Liga MX in Mexico. His Cruz Azul outfit knocked Monterrey out in a semi-final playoff clash after a superb 1-0 home victory in the second-leg.
Now, Caixinha will get his chance to earn the club their first championship title in 21 years.
It’s great to see Caixinha doing well. He got a rough ride of it at Ibrox, and had plenty of obstacles to overcome that were just too much for him to handle. In the end, his departure was best for both him and the club after a woeful run of form.
And it’s important to remember that when thinking of his current successes.
There’s the potential of an idea that Rangers were wrong to let Caixinha go. His incredible time at Cruz Azul is now reaping rewards after a shaky start, therefore the same could’ve been done at Rangers, correct?
Nobody would’ve known what would’ve happened had he stayed on in Glasgow. The fact is, however, that the former Gers boss had managed to waste in excess of £9million in transfer money, however.
A list of dreadful acquisitions
He managed to sign the likes of Carlos Pena, Eduardo Herrera, and Dalcio. There were barely any positives from his reign at the club, with only Ryan Jack and Alfredo Morelos worth mentioning.
Added to that, he just didn’t get the game over here. The pressures of managing Rangers meant that Caixinha hardly had time to adapt to life in Scotland. His unusual comments in press conferences combined with his equally eccentric behaviour on the touchline was embarrassing at times.
In terms of whether this was the right fit – this was as bad a fit as possible. The old analogy of square pegs in round holes certainly applies here.
There was just so much wrong with Caixinha’s time at Rangers that there was no way the club could afford to risk it continuing. His style didn’t resonate with supporters or the media, and that was a huge problem.
Things have moved on for the better of all parties. Rangers are on the upturn under Steven Gerrard, despite some dodgy away results. Meanwhile, Caixinha is closing in on a huge achievement in a place he feels a lot more at home in.
You’ve got to feel happy for him, but there should be no looking back from anyone about what might’ve been.
