While Barry Ferguson prepares to lead Rangers into battle up against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, those behind-the-scenes at Ibrox also have no shortage of challenges on their plate.
Ferguson’s interim contract runs until the end of the current campaign.
And while former Ibrox teammate Ross McCormack feels Barry Ferguson could give Rangers a decision to make if he can edge out Jose Mourinho while picking up a couple of Old Firm victories over Celtic, the early signs suggest that the team sitting 16 points adrift in the Premiership table will look further afield for a man to replace Philippe Clement long term.
A return to Rangers for Russell Martin has been talked up by Andy Halliday, feeling that the former Southampton coach can solve a long-running Achilles heel up against low blocks.
David Wagner has been mentioned too. It is also understood that Derek McInnes could be tempted to leave Kilmarnock and take a job he turned down while in the Aberdeen hotseat eight years ago.
Of course, with the San Francisco 49ers closing in on a takeover of the Glasgow giants – a deal has reportedly been agreed in principle as of Tuesday – those American investors led by Andrew Cavanagh are likely to play a major role in choosing the club’s next head coach.
Rangers yet to make Rafa Benitez approach
Reports emerged this week claiming that Rafa Benitez is one name under consideration by the 49ers.
Rangers News have been informed by football correspondent Graeme Bailey, meanwhile, that Benitez is someone who’s availability has made clear to Rangers rather than necessarily the other way around.
The Ibrox outfit are yet to make an approach, at this stage, for the former Real Madrid, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Liverpool and Napoli coach.
Steven Gerrard, the man who guided Rangers to their only Premiership title win in the last 14 years, is understood to hold an appeal amongst some members of the San Francisco 49ers.
Gerrard, like his old Liverpool boss Benitez, is currently out of work.
The former England international has seen his managerial reputation plummet since leaving Ibrox for Aston Villa three years ago. Gerrard departed Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ettifaq by mutual consent recently with the club – who currently employ former Rangers striker Fashion Sakala – stuck in mid-table.
Potential Steven Gerrard return could prove controversial at Ibrox
Should Gerrard return, this would be a move somewhat reminiscent of Brendan Rodgers’ controversial Celtic homecoming. There are sections of the Rangers fanbase who may not be quick to forget the manner of his departure, a la Rodgers following his defection to Leicester City.
But, as the Northern Irishman is demonstrating at runaway Premiership leaders Celtic, there is no better way than winning hearts and minds than by getting results on the pitch and silverware to boot.
As for Benitez – a Champions League, La Liga and FA Cup winner – Rangers legend Ally McCoist would certainly be intrigued by the prospect of a coach with such experience and prior success tasked with reducing the considerable gap between the two Old Firm rivals.
However, he feels that Benitez would need to be backed considerably in the transfer market in order to avoid suffering the same fate as various former Ibrox bosses. Though, as they have demonstrated south of the border at Leeds United, the San Francisco 49ers would have little interest in coasting along in second place.
“Absolutely, I wouldn’t have a problem with [Rangers hiring Rafa Benitez],” McCoist said on talkSPORT.
“The only thing he would need, the same as [Ruben] Amorim at Manchester Utd, is a better squad of players to deal with at this moment of time.”
