Rangers: Christian Nerlinger update emerges amid reports of snub in Ross Wilson replacement plans
The report suggesting that Rangers had been turned down by Christian Nerlinger for the now-vacant sporting director roll has been disputed by Jonny McFarlane.
Earlier on Friday Transfermarkt carried an interview with the one-time Ibrox midfielder where he expressed his “honour” at being linked to the role left open by Ross Wilson’s departure to Nottingham Forest, but his attachment to his own agency means he is not interested.
Quotes attributed to the former Bayern Munich sporting director suggested he had already been contacted by the Light Blues, but McFarlane now says that is not the case.
Reporting via Twitter on Friday afternoon (14 April) McFarlane said: “Having inquired about today’s quotes, it’s my understanding that Rangers have NOT spoken to Christian Nerlinger about the sporting director position.
“Michael Beale very clear today that the club’s football structure will be assessed at the end of the season.”
Jumped the gun
Whether it was a mistranslation or a misunderstanding it appears that Nerlinger wasn’t offered the job, with Beale currently in line for a greater standing at Ibrox.
Most Gers fans were not sad to see the back of Wilson, and given his unpopularity in the role there is probably no guarantee that it is filled that quickly.
The manager has suggested that most of the work for the near-future has started and he can oversee what is necessary himself, but did seem to expect a replacement to arrive at some point.
So it seems unlikely he would have gone out on Friday and played down any developments on that front if the club were attempting to make moves already, unless a quick snub had seem them wish to save face.
Whether it was going to be Wilson or Beale or a new arrival there is plenty of work to be done for the person who takes on those roles for now.
Transfer business in and out of Ibrox this summer is going to be crucial if the Gers are going to head into next season ready to give Celtic a proper challenge, with just the Scottish Cup left to salvage from a disappointing campaign.
In other Rangers news, one Light Blues player has been slammed by a pair of his predecessors for being “timid” and displaying a “fear” on the pitch.