Brian Laudrup: Rangers shouldn’t waste time getting new manager
Rangers are without a manager after Steven Gerrard left for Aston Villa on Thursday, and the Scottish Premiership giants have begun the search for a replacement.
Brian Laudrup wants the board to reach a decision very quickly, and he warns that they cannot afford to get it wrong as Celtic will be waiting to pounce.
The Hoops are breathing down Rangers neck after their recent form, and the former Light Blues hero reckons Gerrard’s exit has put the club in a very delicate position.
Laudrup told Scottish Daily Mail: “A decision on Steven Gerrard’s replacement has to come as quickly as possible from the Rangers board. It’s a huge call in tough circumstances, but I don’t think the situation can be allowed to run on for one, two or three weeks.
“Rangers need stability to maintain momentum this season because Celtic look to be on the up and will be waiting to exploit any weaknesses. A number of candidates will be interested, as you’d expect for a job of this size, and the link with Giovanni van Bronckhorst is one that makes sense to me.
“Van Bronckhorst did really well initially as an assistant at Feyenoord before taking over and guiding the Rotterdam club to their first league title for 18 years. His credentials are clear, as is his ability to work under pressure.
“It’s such an important decision for the board to make. There is absolutely no question Gerrard leaves Rangers in a far better state than he found them, but he also leaves them at a delicate point in the season. With a lead of just four points on Celtic, it’s vital the vacancy is filled without too much delay.”
Definitely
The Light Blues are just a loss and a draw from potentially dropping into second place and they cannot afford that.
The next manager has a big job on his hands, and appointing him in the coming days will give him a chance to hit the ground running after the international break.
It is such a short time for anyone to get his methods across to the players, and navigating such a transition during the middle of a campaign could be very tough.
The Bears want someone capable of retaining the title, winning other domestic honours and impressing in the Europa League.
They certainly have the squad to do so, but getting the perfect replacement for Gerrard could be herculean.
Celtic will feel they have a real chance of catching up with the Gers amid all these, and the Ibrox outfit have to get this huge decision right and get it done on time.
In other Rangers news, the Bears are plotting January swoop for teenage striking sensation, five PL clubs in pursuit too.