Rangers Football Club is once again on the hunt for a new manager following the sacking of Philippe Clement after another disappointing performance, this time resulting in a 2-0 home defeat to St Mirren. The match proved to be the final straw for the club's hierarchy, signaling Clement's departure after 16 months at the helm where expectations considerably faltered. Continuous struggles have left Rangers trailing 13 points behind their arch-rivals Celtic, and fans are left wondering who will take over at Ibrox to steer the club back to glory.
Clement's time at the club began promisingly with early triumphs, such as winning the League Cup. Unfortunately, his tenure went downhill rapidly, particularly after humiliations such as being ousted from the Scottish Cup by Queen's Park. Despite the club's CEO Patrick Stewart earlier indicating support due to the team's Europa League progress to the last 16, the latest loss seemed to underline the urgency for change. With the San Francisco 49ers leading negotiations for a takeover at Ibrox, the situation becomes even more complex.
Curiosity and speculation surrounding Clement’s successor are rife. Early betting odds have made former manager Steven Gerrard the prime candidate for the role. Having previously led Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title during the 2020-2021 season, Gerrard departed for Aston Villa, where he faced challenges and was dismissed after just 12 games. Most recently he was managing Al-Ettifaq before parting ways by mutual consent earlier this month. Taking to BetVictor, he is currently favored at 4/1 to return to his old post.
“I saw Steven Gerrard recently, and he seemed to indicate he might be open to returning, provided the relationship with the fans could heal with time,” remarked Graeme Souness, sharing his conversation with the once iconic Ibrox figure.
Challenging the notion of Gerrard's return is the fact he left for what many considered greener pastures, and some supporters remain skeptical of his comeback. Meanwhile, Russell Martin, who formerly played for Rangers and is currently available after being sacked by Southampton, is next on the bookmakers’ list with odds of 5/1. During his brief time at Rangers, Martin expressed regrets about his performance, and his connection to the club could play favorably for his candidacy.
Sean Dyche, recently released from managing Everton, also enters discussions, priced at 5/2, mentioning past conversations with Ross Wilson at Rangers and his eagerness to experience the Old Firm derby during his time at Watford. Dyche, who saved Everton from relegation, brings invaluable Premier League experience.
Derek Mcinnes has created quite the reputation at Kilmarnock, having previously turned down the Rangers opportunity back when he was managing Aberdeen. His odds are currently pegged at 6/1, and he recently hinted at his past decision-making process when discussing his interaction with former Rangers manager Walter Smith.
Another name floated is Kevin Muscat, who is currently managing Shanghai Port after reportedly being overlooked for the role by Clement. Muscat, whose odds stand at 11/4, previously had contacts with the Rangers board and admitted interest during his last managerial shifts.
Among the other contenders are Kasper Hjulmand, priced at 7/1, and Steven Davis, who previously held the role of interim manager, currently at 16/1. Hjulmand is coming off his stint with Denmark and has familiarity with high-pressure situations. Meanwhile, Davis’s historical ties to the club as captain and his recent foray as interim manager might resonate with both supporters and decision-makers alike at Ibrox.
With all these candidates and the unpredictability surrounding the impending takeover, it’s anybody’s guess how this managerial saga will eventually unravel. Will Rangers be able to secure the right leader to harbor success against Celtic and restore their premier status? Only time will tell as the club prepares for the next chapter of their storied history.