Ferguson gives seal of approval for Wayne Rooney appointment at Rangers
Wayne Rooney has been mentioned as an outside contender to become next Rangers manager as the pressure builds on Philippe Clement.
The former Derby County and Plymouth Argyle boss is currently out of work after being sacked by the Pilgrims.
Rooney is on the bookmakers’ long list of potential candidates to succeed Clement should Rangers chiefs wield the axe on the back of the 1-0 loss to Queen’s Park.
Philippe Clement on brink of Rangers sack
Clement appears to be a man on borrowed time at Rangers following the embarrassing Scottish Cup exit at Ibrox on Sunday (9 February).
It marked the first time the Gers have lost at home to a lower-tier side on home soil in the competition’s history.
Many have already suggested Clement is as good as sacked, which has led to supporters debating who could be the next man in charge at Ibrox.
Rooney would be a left-field choice, but so to was Steven Gerrard and he guided the Gers to a 55th league crown in 2021.
And in the view of pundit Derek Ferguson – speaking exclusively to Ibrox News – Rooney is a name that may just make sense.
“I quite like the fact that Rooney has put himself out there in terms of managerial jobs, albeit it’s not worked for him,” Ferguson said. “Imagine Gerrard coming back to the club as manager and Rooney as his assistant. Something crazy like that, you know?
“The likes of Gerrard and Rooney, they’re football men. The one thing they have instantly is respect with the players.
“Players will listen to guys like that, who have been there and done it. So who knows? It would be surreal, but nothing surprises you in football. I quite like the sound of that.”
Next Rangers manager options
Rooney won it all as a player, including five Premier League titles with Manchester United.
He had mixed success in managerial jobs with D.C. United and Derby, before flopping as Birmingham City and Plymouth boss.
As Ferguson says, though, he would instantly demand respect from the Ibrox dressing room, with every player aware of what he achieved on the pitch.
Beyond outsider Rooney, Gerrard appears to be the early favourite to succeed Clement if he is indeed sacked.
Beyond that, Russell Martin, Gary O’Neil and Sean Dyche have been touted as options. Each will have their critics and their backers, as is the case with Rooney.
All most supporters will want, though, is to see Clement given his marching orders and a new boss brought in pronto.