Rangers “contacted” Botafogo manager Luis Castro before deciding to take the manager plunge on QPR boss Michael Beale, according to a Brazilian journalist.
According to Goal journalist Raisa Simplicio, Rangers touched base with the 61-year-old Portuguese manager as they explored the best options to replace Dutch coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Translated to English, the tweet reads:
“Luís Castro, from Botafogo, was contacted by Rangers, from Scotland. The technician is an option if the negotiation with Michael Beale does not go through.”
Luis Castro named as Rangers Michael Beale alternative
Luis Castro certainly represents an interesting option for Rangers and their fans given the current situation the club finds itself in.
Rangers have dropped dramatically domestically and find themselves nine points behind Celtic in the title race and the club better get the next appointment right to avoid any gap widening.
The ex-Porto and Shakthar manager would be viewed as an extremely left-field appointment and therefore an even bigger risk for the Rangers board as fan sentiment begins to turn against them.
This is not only a decisive decision for the Rangers squad and team on the park, but off it as a club if the current custodians fail to deliver it could spell curtains for plenty of them too.
Botafogo boss Luis Castro certainly doesn’t appear to be the man Rangers have chosen to take them forward anyway amid swirling reports the club have moved for Michael Beale.
Whilst nothing has been signed, sealed and delivered just yet, Rangers are expected to complete a move for the QPR boss and former Ibrox assistant.
Steven Gerrard’s former number two at Ibrox, Beale has always spoken very highly about the club and Rangers remain very close to his heart so it could be the perfect match.
Whatever the case, it’s certainly safer than Luis Castro and if it is to be Beale, expect the Rangers support to get behind after the World Cup break.
Meanwhile, there appears to be more to a £9.5m Rangers drama than initially meets the eye.
