Ferguson to create Rangers ‘False Economy’ after what happened at Man United
Simon Jordan has urged Rangers not to get carried away with Barry Ferguson’s good start after their 4-2 win against Kilmarnock.
Ferguson’s tenure as Rangers’ interim manager began with a comeback victory at Rugby Park on Wednesday, with the Ibrox legend appointed in temporary charge following Philippe Clement’s sacking.
Ferguson and his team of Rangers heroes including Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Alan McGregor saw the Light Blues go 2-0 down inside 14 minutes, but bounced back with three second-half goals.
With 49ers Enterprises looking set to come on board in Govan and complete a majority takeover of the Gers by June at the latest, a permanent managerial decision looks set to wait until the summer.
Simon Jordan warns Rangers with Manchester United example
Ferguson getting off to a winning start in chaotic circumstances will certainly have helped to galvanise the Gers support behind the club going in a new direction, with Clement having overstayed his welcome.
Speaking on talkSPORT (27 February, 11:26am), however, Simon Jordan argued that Rangers can’t afford to make the “unavoidable mistake” Manchester United did with a similar appointment back in 2019.
Jordan said: “There’s nothing in his managerial record that tells you that he’s capable, of managing Rangers to overtake the only [team] that’s important – which is Celtic.
“It’s a populist decision to put him in, because clearly they think that the fans need to be re-invigorated.
“Ferguson probably has little to lose – if it goes wrong, people are going to suggest it wasn’t his fault anyway.
“If it goes well, it could create a false economy – it could create the opportunity for an unavoidable mistake.
“Which is the same thing, I believe, that happened with Manchester United when they overcame PSG [in the Champions League], and decided to put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in control.”
Rangers can’t afford to rush into Barry Ferguson decision
Having kept a doomed Clement in post largely due to the financial difficulties of pulling the plug, it’s unlikely that the current Rangers board will be up for committing to a permanent hire any time soon.
The likes of Steven Gerrard have been mooted with a return to Ibrox, but with the 49ers Enterprises’ takeover rumbling along in the backround, the incumbent hierarchy will have their eyes on the exit door.
| Club | Tenure | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win percentage |
| Blackpool (interim) | 2014 | 20 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 15 per cent |
| Clyde | 2014 – 2017 | 120 | 46 | 23 | 51 | 38.3 per cent |
| Kelty Hearts | 2018 – 2021 | 70 | 46 | 12 | 12 | 65.7 per cent |
| Alloa Athletic | 2021 – 2022 | 33 | 9 | 8 | 16 | 27.3 per cent |
| Rangers (interim) | 2025 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100 per cent |
As a result, it’s unlikely a decision on the future of Ferguson or any other potential candidates will wait until the summer, by which time Ferguson could well have staked his place for the job full-time.
A run deep into the latter stages of the Europa League – and potentially even the final in Bilbao – plus a strong end to the domestic campaign and closing the gap on Celtic, could both work in his favour.
However, a ‘new manager bounce’ can only go so far regardless of their achievements, and with 49ers Enterprises likely to go for a best-in-class manager, it’s unlikely Ferguson will last beyond season’s end.