Simon Jordan and Martin Keown clash on talkSPORT over next Rangers manager decision
Simon Jordan strongly disagrees with Martin Keown that Frank Lampard is cut out to be the next Rangers manager.
It was reported by talkSPORT on Friday (6 October) that Lampard has made Rangers’ final shortlist to succeed Michael Beale in the Ibrox hotseat, although Sky Sports News later claimed he is now out of the running.
Speaking on the radio station on Friday (6 October), Keown said he felt the former Chelsea boss “should be given the opportunity” to manage Rangers.
But Jordan does not believe Lampard is a better manager than Brendan Rodgers at rivals Celtic, and the Gers should therefore look elsewhere.
“Do we think Frank Lampard overcomes Brendan Rodgers and Celtic? If the answer is no, what the hell are you doing Rangers?” he said.
“That’s your objective, that’s the reason you exist, to be better than Celtic.
“Have we seen anything in the past two incarnations of Lampard, at Everton and Chelsea, to make the Rangers board think that’s the fella for me?
“It’s because it’s Lampard’s name above the door, rather than his body of work.”
Big name
Jordan was previously an advocate for Lampard, so it is interesting to see him backtrack now.
Kevin Muscat, Philippe Clement and Pascal Jensen all seem like better options on the face of it, but when has that ever deterred the Gers board?
This next managerial appointment is hugely important after parting company with Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Beale in pretty quick succession.
Stability is required, and the new head coach needs to be able to hit the ground running as there is still lots to play for this season.
Many are painting parallels between Lampard and ex-Gers boss Steven Gerrard, but the Chelsea legend has failed in a couple of previous jobs.
As Jordan says, he would be appointed for his name, rather than his achievements – although it now seems a moot point if Sky Sports’ update is anything to go by.
The board have had some time to weigh up all the options, and hopefully a decision is made in the coming days to end all the speculation.
In other Rangers news, a BBC journalist has given his view on the managerial situation at Ibrox.