Rafa Benitez questions raised as ‘£6m needed’ for Rangers appointment
Rangers have been linked with Rafa Benitez as they search for a new permanent manager after sacking Philippe Clement.
Barry Ferguson has taken interim charge at Ibrox until the end of the season and will undoubtedly be one of the candidates for the managerial position.
Andrew Cavengah and 49ers Enterprises may have other candidates in mind if and when they complete their takeover of the Gers.
Benitez could be a possible option for the Americans at Ibrox, but doubts have emerged over his potential appointment at the Light Blues.
Rangers will need to pay £6m a year for Benitez
Rangers may need to pay around £6million a year to get Benitez as their next permanent manager, Mark Guidi says.
The Scottish journalist believes the former Liverpool head coach is being linked with the Bears only due to the possible American takeover.
| Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| 33 | 9 | 9 | 15 |
Guidi has questioned whether Cavengah and the 49ers will want to spend a considerable amount to get the Spanish boss to Ibrox in the coming months.
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show (24 March), the journalist said: “What I would say about Benitez is these names have appeared because there’s a takeover. And as soon as you see American billionaires, you get excited.
“What’s it going to take for Benitez to come? Does he want to come and work in Scotland? What would he be looking for, a base pay of around £6m a year? Are the potential new owners going to be putting that kind of money in? There’s no evidence out there whatsoever. We don’t know what these potential new owners are thinking.”
Ferguson better option than Benitez at Ibrox
Ferguson has proven his worth as Rangers beat Celtic 3-2 at Parkhead with a late Hamza Igamane goal.
The Gers icon also ensured that the Glaswegian outfit qualified for the Europa League quarter-finals after beating Fenerbahce on penalties at Ibrox.
Philippe Clement’s tenure was associated with negativity at the Light Blues, but the Belgian manager’s sacking has lifted spirits among fans.
Rangers will need to be at their best during the final stretch of the season to redeem it somehow.
The Gers only shot at silverware lies in the Europa League, where they will face Athletic Club in the next round.
If Ferguson can pull off a miracle against the La Liga outfit and take the Light Blues to the semi-finals, he should undoubtedly be handed a one-year extension.
Benitez was one of the best managers almost two decades back, but the Spaniard’s recent managerial stint hasn’t been encouraging.
It would arguably be better to count on someone like Ferguson, who knows Rangers inside out, to take charge for another season.