Rangers manager news: Pascal Jansen update emerges from Netherlands as Graham Potter and Ryan Lowe ruled out – Sky Sports
It will be “very tough” for Rangers to land Pascal Jansen as their next manager despite the AZ Alkmaar boss being “interested” in speaking to the club, according to Sky Sports.
The broadcaster reported via their website on 3 October that “one source in Holland” had indicated that the 50-year-old would be a tricky proposition with the Dutch side currently second in the Eredivisie.
Jansen, along with Yokohama F Marinos boss Kevin Muscat are both thought to be positive about a potential approach from Ibrox, where James Bisgrove is expected to remain while working on the managerial shortlist with John Bennett and the board rather than attend Thursday’s Europa League game against Aris Limassol.
Frank Lampard and John Eustace are also both said to have “shown interest”, with the former Chelsea man even reported elsewhere to be “advancing” on the job, but the man he succeeded at Stamford Bridge last season Graham Potter, and Preston North End’s Ryan Lowe have been ruled out according to the Sky Sports report.
Birmingham City boss Eustace had previously claimed he was “definitely not” in the equation for the Gers job despite being the first named candidate as Michael Beale came under major pressure so may be off the table.
Numbers
It is something that there are apparently various of names attracted to Rangers still despite the abject failure of the summer rebuild potentially saddling them with a squad that it may not be possible to alter too heavily.
But the quality of those putting themselves forward is what matters, and with Eustace apparently ruling himself out and Lampard carrying questions over his track record it narrows the options.
Jansen would appear to be a relatively solid choice on paper having been operating around the top of the Eredivisie for a number of seasons, but if it is in fact going to be “very tough” to prize him away that might be a moot point.
Muscat is having success in Japan, which Ange Postecoglou has proven that can be a pathway to doing the same in Glasgow, but there is an element of trying to recreate the former Celtic boss’ progression that might not sit well with supporters.
Former Club Brugge and Genk title winner Philippe Clement has also been named as a target for the Rangers hierarchy after being sacked by Monaco, and would appear to be the best qualified name to emerge so far, with the Marcelo Gallardo rumours looking based on very little.
It doesn’t look like the club are going to rush into anything which is probably a good idea, but if Steven Davis and his caretaker team struggle to lift results it could put extra pressure on.
In other Rangers news, another SPFL boss has now been tipped to be a prime candidate by a journalist and a pundit.