Rangers sources reveal Gary O’Neil preference in new manager hunt
Rangers are reportedly considering a move to hire former Wolves and Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil.
Barry Ferguson is expected to leave once his remit as interim manager runs out at the end of the season.
Gers have not had a permanent manager since Philippe Clement was sacked after their dismal domestic campaign.
O’Neil prefers to stay in England amid Ibrox links
O’Neil is currently out of work as he’s not taken up work since he was sacked by Wolves in December 2024.
He replaced Julen Lopetegui at Molineux and while there were promising moments early on, he left when the club were in 19th place in the Premier League.
There were even issues with the players and their brawls post game and all of this made his time at the Black County outfit untenable.
| Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Points | Points Per Match (PPM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63 | 20 | 11 | 32 | 94 | 117 | 71 | 1.13 |
According to TEAMtalk on 12 May, sources claim that he fancies staying in England amid links to the Gers job.
However, Rangers would present an opportunity for the Englishman to manage a top club in Europe.
Rangers must convince O’Neil to join them
Convincing O’Neil to join Gers as manager, despite his preference to remain in England, requires a strategic approach leveraging the club’s stature, resources and the 49ers’ ambitious vision.
Rangers can highlight the opportunity to dominate Scottish football and challenge Celtic, offering O’Neil a platform to achieve silverware and enhance his reputation, something less guaranteed in England’s competitive Premier League.
A hefty transfer budget, potentially kicking off with a £4m signing, signals significant backing for the Englishman to build a squad tailored to his high-energy, counter-pressing style, which transformed Wolves’ fortunes.
Emphasising the chance to lead Gers in the Champions League could appeal to his ambition for European success.
Additionally, the passionate Ibrox atmosphere and global fanbase provide a unique stage to showcase his managerial prowess.
The Ibrox outfit could sweeten the deal with a lucrative contract and assurances of autonomy in recruitment, addressing his desire for stability.