Credit:Imago

Carla Devine

Mon 2 June 2025 13:40, UK

Andrew Cavenagh will be looking to seriously speed up the process of appointing a new manager at Ibrox now the takeover has been completed.

Speculation over who will be at the helm has been ongoing for some time now, although no permanent appointment seems to be any closer.

With the takeover now having gone through, though, the new owners have wasted no time in getting to work, already deciding to part ways with Nils Koppen.

Therefore, it seems likely that a managerial appointment will soon follow at Rangers, allowing work for the new season’s squad to get underway.

Rangers backed to find new Ange Postecoglou

Although there is bound to be some grace for the new owners if they get things slightly wrong, they will be under no illusions about the importance of their first appointment at Ibrox.

This could well be one of the reasons why a decision is taking so long, with the final choice looking likely to be between Davide Ancelotti and Russell Martin.

Ancelotti has been the favourite on several occasions, but his lack of experience standing on his own seems to cause concern in the minds of the Rangers board.

While Martin has more direct experience, the Gers will surely be worried that they would come to regret passing up on the opportunity to sign the junior Ancelotti.

Stephen McGowan has claimed that the 35-year-old could be just what the Light Blues are looking for, suggesting he could follow in the steps of Ange Postecoglou as he did for their Glasgow rivals.

Writing in The Herald (2 June), McGowan said: “Right now, it feels as if Rangers are looking for a young Ange. A coach of conviction with plenty to prove, who can find his feet in Scottish football quickly, forge a new team and give the folk on the other side of the city a run for their money.

“Given time and a fair wind, Davide Ancelotti just might be that man.

“With the help and backing of the 49ers investment group, Thelwell and Purdy, standards will surely improve on and off the pitch. He might stamp his authority on the team from day one and be a game-changer. At this stage, no one knows for sure that he even has the job.”

Rangers to take Ancelotti risk

Turning to Ancelotti is a risk, with there not being much to judge him on in respect of his own managerial career.

However, even appointing Martin poses a risk as there is no promise that managers are good at adapting to Scotland, especially after a shocking year at Southampton.

Therefore, with Steven Gerrard having pushed himself out of the race already, the new owners have to be prepared to be bold and make a call that could be a defining moment in their history.

As McGowan says, supported by the right backing from those above him at Ibrox, both in terms of finance and experience, there is no reason why this couldn’t be a success, regardless of it being out of character.

The Gers want to get back to fighting it out with Celtic at the top of the table as soon as possible, and surely, this will help them to do so.