Continuing their manager search, Rangers have now reportedly made contact with a former Chelsea manager in the hope of filling their vacant role in the Ibrox dugout.
Why Gerrard rejected Rangers
Steven Gerrard’s return was one that many were ready to welcome with open arms. All was about to be forgiven for his decision to leave for Aston Villa in 2021, before he rejected the 49ers in an unexpected twist. The Liverpool legend was left unconvinced by the new owners and, in the end, believed that it was the wrong time for him to make a return.
Many have had their say on Gerrard’s rejection, including Rangers legend Ally McCoist. The former Ibrox star believes that the 49ers failed to sell the job to the 45-year-old at the interview stage.
“He wouldn’t have come for the interview in the first place would he (if it was a financial). Either they haven’t sold him it, or I would suggest something has happened in the interview process that hasn’t taken his fancy.”
It’s taken the 49ers and sporting director Kevin Thelwell back to the drawing board, but as the return of domestic football from the international break edges closer, they’re yet to solve their managerial problem.
Names such as Danny Rohl and former Young Boys manager Raphael Wicky have both been mentioned as reported candidates, yet it remains to be seen which direction the Gers head towards.
Rohl arguably stands out as the exciting candidate. The former Sheffield Wednesday boss is just 36 years old and is primed to become one of the brightest young managers around.
Alas, at this stage of the 49ers’ project, it’s difficult to see a world in which a young manager can arrive and instantly make their mark. Instead, they may be better off turning towards a former Premier League manager.
Rangers make contact with Graham Potter
As reported by The Daily Record, Rangers have now made contact with Graham Potter about taking the vacant job at Ibrox. The 50-year-old was recently sacked by West Ham United following a spell to forget at the London Stadium and desperately needs his next role to go right to get his career back on track.
With that said, reports have suggested that Potter is unlikely to take the Rangers job. A move to Ibrox represents quite the risk for a manager who can’t afford to get things wrong for the third time in a row.
For any doubters, including those at Rangers, it’s worth remembering just how highly rated Potter was at both Swansea City and Brighton & Hove Albion. He transformed the Seagulls, setting up the foundations for Roberto De Zerbi and now Fabian Hurzeler to build on.
Brighton chief Tony Bloom knew exactly what he was getting too, having praised Potter from the very off. He told reporters: “Once we’d made a decision to get a new manager in, quite quickly Graham became the outstanding candidate.
“He’s an excellent coach who did a superb job at Swansea in difficult circumstances. Sometimes not making a decision or going for a more obvious choice is a bigger gamble. I have no doubt that Graham is the right choice for this club at this particular time.”