BBC pundit shares what Jan Wouters has text him amid Rangers return speculation
Jan Wouters has ruled himself out of returning to Rangers to serve as Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s assistant, according to Alex McLeish.
Earlier this week, the Scottish Sun reported that if van Bronckhorst arrives at Ibrox to replace Steven Gerrard, Wouters could be his right-hand man.
Wouters was Rangers’ assistant manager from 2001 to 2006, working alongside both Dick Advocaat and Alex McLeish. The Dutchman also served as van Bronckhorst’s number two at Feyenoord.
Ibrox hero McLeish has since revealed a conversation he had with Wouters about him returning to Glasgow – but it doesn’t seem as though he’s interested.
“They need a young vibrant manager, no doubt about that. Giovanni has got some good experience as Jan Wouters will testify to that,” said McLeish on BBC Sportsound, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
“I actually texted Jan Wouters today and said, ‘are we going to be seeing you in Glasgow again?’ and he kind of played dumb.
“So I am taking it that he is not coming. Maybe Giovanni has moved on a wee bit and Jan has maybe done his bit in the game.
“But that is inside information that I can only give you exclusively. He says not for me, but we will see.”
That’s a shame
If van Bronckhorst did come back to Rangers then Wouters would have been the perfect assistant for him.
Wouters knows the club well and he also knows Gio well, having worked alongside him at Feyenoord.
The 61-year-old also has a lot of experience in the coaching game having previously managed Ajax and Utrecht and also been an assistant and caretaker manager at PSV.
Not many assistant managers have the CV that Wouters does but it does not look as though McLeish’s old ally will be returning to Ibrox if Gio does.
Rangers chiefs must be working overtime behind the scenes right now to ensure that a manager and a coaching team are in place for the clash against Hibernian next week.
It’s a huge game for whoever’s going to be in charge with a place in the Scottish League Cup final at stake.
In other Rangers news, Sir Kenny Dalglish has dropped a transfer claim after sharing what he’s been led to believe about the Gers’ manager hunt.