Andrew Cavenagh has to repair Steven Gerrard talks as Kevin Muscat on the brink at Rangers
Andrew Cavenagh is rapidly running out of options at Rangers as the search for a new manager goes on.
The Gers have now spent the last two weeks hunting Russell Martin’s successor, and their search had seemingly been narrowing down after Steven Gerrard and Danny Rohl withdrew from the running.
Kevin Muscat had agreed to take charge of Rangers in principle, with the move expected to be completed after the conclusion of the Chinese league season on 22 November.
However, the Australian’s appointment at Ibrox has now been cast into serious doubt, which could quickly see the walls close in on the club hierarchy.
Rangers to plead to Steven Gerrard if Kevin Muscat talks collapse
Muscat’s appointment at Rangers could be set to collapse following further talks with Kevin Thelwell and Patrick Stewart, and it is understood that there is growing fear that the potential deal could be in tatters.
If the 52-year-old’s move to Govan cannot be salvaged in the coming days, then the Gers essentially find themselves in the exact same position as they were when they sacked Martin, only having already lost three potential candidates from the race.
A dire situation looks likely to unfold at Ibrox, and turning back to Gerrard may be one of the only options left available to Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe.
| Manager | Club | Games | W | D | L | Win % |
| Gerrard | Al-Ettifaq | 55 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 34.55% |
| Muscat | Shanghai Port | 78 | 51 | 12 | 15 | 65.38% |
The Liverpudlian recently turned down the chance of a sensational return to his old stomping ground, citing poor timing as the main issue behind his decision.
However, the Rangers hierarchy may now have to try and do everything in their power in order to convince him to change his mind.
Whatever Gerrard would want in terms of money and assurances, Cavenagh and Co. have to lay it all on the table to try and alter his stance.
The 45-year-old is planning to return to the UK imminently, according to Alan Nixon via his Patreon account, so in theory it may not be totally out of the question for talks to be reconciled.
Kevin Thelwell’s position is untenable
Pressure has been mounting on Thelwell with every passing week at Rangers, as the failings of his summer transfer business become more and more clear.
There were concerns regarding Gerrard’s willingness to work with him as sporting director a few weeks ago, and it is telling that the Muscat deal now appears to have hit the rocks after discussions with Thelwell.
Cavenagh has to be prepared to axe Thelwell in order to get either candidate through the door, but really, his position should be untenable regardless of how the managerial search concludes.
He has been the common denominator across the vast majority of Rangers’ failings in the last few months, and sooner or later, he needs to pay the price.
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