Rangers new manager: Sources reveal favourite as Rafa Benitez twist emerges
Rangers and the San Francisco 49ers are eyeing a new permanent manager after Barry Ferguson’s interim reign at Ibrox.
The caretaker boss already lost his first game in charge of the club as Motherwell beat them on 1 March.
Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is among the candidates linked to the hotseat at Ibrox, with David Wagner also understood to be in the mix.
Gers preferred candidate emerges for next permanent manager
Chronicle Live reported on 5 March that sources close to Gers have claimed that Benitez indeed is the “preferred” candidate to take over the reigns this summer.
The Spaniard has been out of work for a year after his disappointing stint at Celta Vigo which saw him win just five out of 28 games.
Even his time at Everton was not a success and he’s failed to replicate his past successes at Liverpool or Newcastle.
Benitez has iconic clubs like Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Liverpool on his managerial CV but it appears that his best days as a coach are behind him.
Rangers may benefit from Rafa Benitez’s experience
Benitez could prove a decent appointment for Rangers due to his extensive managerial experience and proven track record across top leagues.
With a CV boasting the Champions League title with Liverpool in 2005, La Liga triumphs with Valencia, and domestic cups in England and Italy, Benitez brings tactical nous and pedigree that could elevate Gers in Scottish football and beyond.
| Club | Trophies Won |
| Valencia | La Liga x 2, UEFA Super Cup x 1 |
| Liverpool | FA Cup x 1, UEFA Champions League x 1, UEFA Super Cup x 1, Community Shield x 1, |
| Inter Milan | Supercoppa Italiana x 1, FIFA Club World Cup x 1 |
| Chelsea | UEFA Europa League x 1 |
| Napoli | Coppa Italia x 1, Supercoppa Italiana x 1 |
| Newcastle | EFL Championship x 1 |
His pragmatic approach, often emphasising defensive solidity paired with counter-attacking flair, aligns well with the demands of the Scottish Premiership, where the Ibrox outfit need to dominate domestically while competing in Europe.
Benitez’s ability to manage big personalities and extract results from limited resources, evident at Newcastle, could suit a club looking to maximise their squad amid financial constraints.
While his style may not thrill fans craving flair, his experience and winning mentality could stabilise Gers and push them toward reclaiming the title in 2025 and beyond.