The Rangers manager hunt goes on with Davide Ancelotti, Steven Gerrard and Russell Martin the names leading the running.
Spanish journalist Guillem Balague claims Ancelotti is Rangers’ first choice to take over as manager but that time is running out to get a deal done.
In the meantime there continues to be plenty of chatter around Steven Gerrard, as the Rangers manager race heats up heading into June.
With Russell Martin also interesting Leicester City, the conversation around who will take the reins at Ibrox continues to dominate the Scottish football headlines.
Now it’s being claimed that one of the leading candidates has voluntarily stepped out of the running as Rangers whittle their shortlist down to two by default.
‘Steven Gerrard opts to stay in Middle East amid Rangers manager talks’
The Daily Record are reporting that Steven Gerrard has taken himself out of the running to become the next Rangers manager.
The title-winning former Ibrox gaffer – who controversially left the Gers for Aston Villa mid-season back in late 2021 – has been prominently mentioned alongside a potential return.
In a story written by Keith Jackson, the Record claim that Gerrard is struggling to convince his wife over a move to Scotland after years in the Middle East.
It’s now being claimed that Gerrard has decided to remain in Bahrain for another year, effectively ending any notion that he will return to Rangers.
Whilst it’s suggested a decision is yet to be formalised, the Record claim Gerrard has held talks with the incoming US consortium behind the takeover at Ibrox.
In an interesting twist, Gerrard is then linked to the Liverpool assistant manager’s job, with Arne Slot’s current number two Johnny Heitinga linked with a move to Ajax.
Dave King reckons Steven Gerrard is ‘obvious choice’ to be Rangers manager
The latest Steven Gerrard reports come just one day on from Dave King urging the incoming Rangers ownership to swoop for the Scouser.
Branding Gerrard the ‘obvious choice’, King reckons the 44-year-old has ‘unfinished business’ in Glasgow after delivering 55 back in 2021.
”I’d be very surprised if they haven’t spoken to him because Steven is the obvious choice,” King told the Scottish Sun.
“I know him well enough to fairly accurately state it would be unfinished business for him.
“Steven left at a time he didn’t want to leave. That’s a fact. He wanted to defend that title. I think he would have defended the title had he stayed.
“From Steven’s point of view and where he is at the moment, I think he’d love nothing more than to come back and take on the challenge of restoring the club.
“It’s not just about one title. The project we hope we’re starting is to make Rangers the dominant No 1 team in Scotland.
“It’s about really putting Rangers back at the top and Steven would be perfect for that.
“I’d be very surprised if they haven’t spoken to Steven because he’s by far the least risky candidate to give new money to.
“They’d be pushing at an open door if they were able to get the financial side sorted.”
