Rangers news: Barry Ferguson exit update shared by Tom English
Tom English delivered a verdict on Barry Ferguson in the aftermath of Athletic Bilbao’s win over Rangers.
In a game marred by controversy, the Ibrox outfit came close but fell short and their European dream came to an end.
Bilbao won 2-0 on the night and on aggregate after the first leg ended 0-0.
Ferguson does not appear likely to stay at Rangers next season – English
Ferguson joined on an interim basis and knew that he had to perform over the odds in order to get the job permanently.
Things got off to a good start and beating Celtic and Fenerbahce undoubtedly helped strengthen his resolve.
However, things now appear to have returned to normal and it appears like Ferguson is not able to get his team to punch above their weight.
| Club | Win rate |
| Clyde | 38.3% |
| Kelty Hearts | 65.7% |
| Alloa Athletic | 27.3% |
| Rangers | 40% |
In the aftermath of the game, English wrote in the BBC: “Ferguson has emptied himself in this job, but there are not enough hours in his day or days in his week that could fix the problems he inherited. His level best was never going to be good enough.
“Not his fault. It’s just the way of things when a club makes bad decision after bad decision over the course of several years.
“It wasn’t so much Ferguson’s words about penalties not given that hit home, though. It was his almost resigned tone that stood out in the aftermath.
“He gave off a feeling that whatever hope he had of keeping this job after regime change has now gone.”
San Francisco 49ers need to hire a proven winner post takeover
Ferguson’s managerial record prior to Rangers was underwhelming, marked by modest stints at Clyde and Kelty Hearts, where he failed to demonstrate the tactical acumen or consistent success needed to helm a club of Gers’ stature.
His interim tenure at Ibrox began promisingly, but the games following those have exposed his limitations.
Despite his passion, Ferguson has not shown the ability to elevate Rangers beyond sporadic highs, lacking the strategic depth to consistently challenge top-tier opposition or address the club’s inherited issues.
His resigned demeanour post-Bilbao, as noted by English, reflects a manager out of his depth.
With the anticipated takeover by the 49ers Enterprise, the Ibrox outfit need a proven winner, someone with a track record of silverware and experience in high-pressure environments.
A manager of that calibre is essential to restore their dominance in Scotland and make them competitive in Europe, a level Ferguson’s record suggests he cannot reach.