Former Rangers winger Peter Lovenkrands turned down a job offer of becoming a striker coach at Ibrox to pursue his own ambitions to become a manager.
The pacey former Danish forward spent six years at Rangers as a player and worked his way up through the coaching ranks at the club before departing in the summer.
The ex-Rangers youth coach has been speaking about his exit from Ibrox as he revealed to the Daily Record that he left the Gers despite being offered a striker coaching role alongside Michael Beale.
Lovenkrands, 40, also revealed he was set to take his first steps into management at an unnamed foreign club, but this has since been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I was so happy working under Steven and Michael. I love Michael, he’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever seen on a training pitch,” said Lovenkrands.
“And the way Steven operates, it was such a good learning experience for me.
“I had such a good relationship with the management team. I’m still in contact with them.
“I was due to work closer to Michael as a striker coach this season. That was really attractive to me.
“But it was a manager’s job so there couldn’t be any doubt in my mind. It’s a great opportunity for me to get on the ladder.
“Hopefully I’ll be back at Rangers one day in some capacity – you never know what could happen in the future.
“This job will hopefully be the first step for me towards a long successful career in management. That’s always been my goal and I couldn’t wait any longer.”
Ex-Rangers hero Lovenkrands has also been opening up on the mental challenge of having his dream first job offer postponed due to the ongoing pandemic as the Dane feels first-hand the challenges it presents.
The former Newcastle United and Schalke 04 star is adamant that the move is still on but he has admitted feeling frustrated as he awaits the go ahead to secure a work permit.
Naturally, this has also made the decision to leave Rangers, a club the passionate football man has a strong bond with, even more difficult.
“It was hard leaving Rangers but it was a decision I had to take,” said Lovenkrands.
“At the time, it was definitely the right one. But nobody could have foreseen the Covid situation and how it has developed.
“At the time I was going straight into a manager’s job abroad. But because of Covid it has been put on hold because I can’t get my Visa or work permit to start working in that country.
“Basically, I’ve been sitting waiting for three months waiting for it to open.
“It’s been one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to deal with.
“Mentally, I was ready to go into my first manager’s job. It was going to be a new experience, something I’ve been working towards for four years.
“It was so exciting but I’m now having to wait, and sit and watch the team I was due to take over.
“I can’t do anything about it so it’s very frustrating.
“It’s been put on hold. Everything has been agreed and confirmed. The owner and sporting director have told me to sit tight.
“They still want me as manager which is great. But right now, I’m sitting waiting to get into the country.
“I want to be a manager. This opportunity came along and it was too good to turn down.”
Lovenkrands sent an emotional farewell to Rangers fans upon leaving the club but it’s clear the former forward has kept the door open to a potential return in the future.