Credit: Imago/talkSPORT

Carla Devine

Tue 13 May 2025 13:40, UK

Rangers are waiting for the 49ers Enterprises to complete their takeover at Ibrox.

The American investors are expected to gain control at Ibrox in mid-June, although with the season coming to an end in Scotland, there are pressing matters that need to be addressed soon.

One of these is the managerial vacancy at Rangers, with Barry Ferguson in place as interim boss until the end of the campaign, but no further plan is in place.

Reports have emerged that Davide Ancelotti is a serious candidate for the full-time job, as he prepares to leave Real Madrid at the end of the campaign.

Simon Jordan questions Ancelotti decision

Although it was reported that Rangers had put a proposal to the Italian, it seems as though discussions are not that far down the line just yet.

However, Ancelotti certainly is a contender for the vacancy at Ibrox, although other names are also being considered for the time being.

With the 35-year-old exiting Madrid in the summer, this has come at a perfect time for the 49ers to have a look at someone who could be an up-and-coming manager.

However, Simon Jordan is not convinced by the consideration of Ancelotti and has questioned the motivations behind it.

Speaking live on talkSPORT (13 May, 10:41), Jordan admitted: “But, there is an element of there is a lot of nepotism going on here, isn’t there?

“There are a lot of jobs being given to this young man as a result of his father’s credentials. If I’m Rangers, and I haven’t interviewed the fella, so I don’t know how charismatic or what his credentials are, but we’ve seen people that are given really significant responsibilities.

“So, Rangers. Why? Why would you take this punt unless he’s so impressive?”

Rangers would be taking a risk on Ancelotti

You can certainly understand Jordan’s reservations over the potential appointment of Ancelotti, given this would be his first job in the hot seat, without working alongside his Dad.

The 49ers absolutely have to get this call right if they want to hit the ground running at Ibrox and push the Light Blues further up the table to compete with Celtic, which is the key aim.

That being said, it seems as though the new owners are keen on a potentially fresher face and given Ferguson’s tenure with the Gers so far hasn’t been convincing domestically, Ancelotti could be worth the risk.

The big thing for the Italian is that, working alongside his father, he has been at some massive clubs with big expectations and big budgets, which may lend itself to this role.

The 49ers can’t afford to get carried away with a name, though.