Rangers news: Barry Ferguson new role update emerges for next season
Four Lads Had a Dream’s Stevie Clifford has delivered his verdict on Barry Ferguson staying at Rangers beyond the current season.
The club will make a decision on their former captain in the summer with the takeover also expected to be completed by then.
The San Francisco 49ers are expected to finalise the deal within the coming weeks and would then decide on the next permanent manager.
Ibrox stay unlikely for Ferguson if he’s the assistant manager – Four Lads
Given what Ferguson has achieved in his interim managerial stint at Ibrox, fans would not mind him being associated with the club for next season.
The prospect of him working as an assistant manager to whoever the 49ers appoint has also been floated.
When Clifford was asked for his view on something like that happening, he does not see the likelihood of it happening.
He wrote in the Rangers Review on 28 March: “The type of person Barry is, I’m not sure we should be ‘demoting him’ to work under someone else.
“I think he’s either good enough to be the manager or he’s not good enough at all.
“It’s different if he is an assistant like Neil McCann and that works for all parties, but if Barry is the manager now, does he accept being under someone else and doing it their way?
“I’m not sure that works.”
Rafa Benitez is a good shout for the next Rangers manager
Ferguson, having tasted the thrill of leading Rangers as interim manager, might not want to step back into an assistant role after experiencing the autonomy and prestige of first-team charge.
His successful stint, including a Europa League quarter-final run and a victory over Celtic, has likely fueled his ambition to remain a head coach, where he can fully implement his vision and leadership.
Reverting to a subordinate position could feel like a demotion, stifling his newfound authority and passion for managing at the top level, especially at a club he deeply cherishes.
| 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 |
Appointing Rafa Benitez permanently makes sense due to his proven track record and tactical acumen, which align with Rangers’ ambitions.
A Champions League winner with Liverpool, Benitez brings a wealth of experience managing high-pressure environments and competing for titles, something Gers need to challenge Celtic’s dominance.
His pragmatic approach could stabilise the squad, while his stature might attract investment and talent, especially with the impending 49ers takeover.
The Spaniard’s familiarity with British football and ability to deliver results under scrutiny make him a strategic fit for a club seeking to elevate their status domestically and in Europe.