Rangers hope to have highly-regarded Royal Antwerp youth coach Zeb Jacobs in place from January 2nd 2022, according to the latest from Belgium.
We reported earlier in the week that Rangers were set to move for the 26-year-old youth coach amid reports in Belgium but there was some conjecture regarding his role.
Widely regarded by the Belgian press as one of the most talented young youth coaches on the circuit the move comes at a time when new Ibrox boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst is restructuring the club’s backroom staff.
However, the move is also in the immediate aftermath of Graeme Murty’s exit from his development role at the Academy leading to suspicions the move may well be related.
But whatever the case, it appears that Rangers are making their move for the Great Old talent co-ordinator and head of development with Voetbal Krant claiming the deal is all but done.
They claim that losing Zeb Jacobs – so soon after another talented youth coach in Pascal de Maesschalck left for Monaco – is a “solid loss” for Belgian football.
Zeb Jacobs reportedly set to join Rangers on day of next Old Firm derby
That report claims that the coach – who despite his young age is clearly revered on the continent – will join up with the Ibrox side on January 2nd 2022; coincidentally the same day as the Old Firm derby.
Whilst it is not clear if this will be to join van Bronckhorst’s first team set-up, the Dutchman has already set about restructuring the backroom staff after Steven Gerrard’s exit.
Gerrard took Gary McAllister (assistant), Michael Beale (first-team coach), Jordan Milson (head of performance), Tom Culshaw (technical coach) and Scott Mason (analyst) with him to Aston Villa.
So far Rangers have moved to strike deals with Roy Makaay (first-team coach), Arno Phillips (performance) and Yori Bosschart (analyst) to the club’s ranks.
Rangers are in the market for another assistant coach and the resignation of a top Dutch coach at a national side this week had fans spinning plenty of theories online.
