Rangers manager hunt: Michael Beale replacement shortlist has been drawn up

Sky Sports News understands Rangers have a shortlist of candidates to succeed Michael Beale.

However, the 43-year-old was sacked on Sunday, but as part of the club’s succession process, an evolving list of options had been in place for a number of months.

It is understood that Rangers’ planning was not linked to performance or results under Beale, and it is normal practice for clubs to be prepared for any eventuality.

CEO James Bisgrove will remain in Britain this week to continue work on the process of finding a new manager, instead of attending Thursday’s Europa League match at Aris Limassol – and is working with chairman John Bennett and senior club directors on the hunt.

It is believed that several candidates have expressed interest in the role, including Kevin Muscat, Pascal Jansen, Frank Lampard and John Eustace. However, it remains to be seen whether anyone will be approached by the club.

It was reported that former Gers defender Muscat and AZ Alkmaar boss Pascal Jansen would be interested in talking to Rangers, but a source in the Netherlands has suggested that it would be very difficult for Rangers to land Jansen – with the Dutch squad second in the Eredivisie.

Sky Sports News can confirm that former Chelsea boss Graham Potter and Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe are not being considered.

No appointment will be made before Sunday’s match at St Mirren, live on Sky Sportsas the club focuses on finding the right long-term fit for the club.

Rangers are now looking for a fourth different manager in two years, following Steven Gerrard’s move to Aston Villa in 2021 and the sackings of Van Bronckhorst and then Beale in the years since.

Steven Davis is currently leading an interim management team, alongside former players Steven Smith and Alex Rae, plus Brian Gilmour and goalkeeping coach Colin Stewart.

‘It costs a lot to manage Rangers’

Sky Sports Kris Boyd says it is vital the board gets the next appointment right, with future recruitment key to any success:

“The recruitment hasn’t been good enough, it hasn’t been good enough for a number of years and that side needs to improve.

“They’ve been everywhere at times and it seems like everything has gotten out of hand, hoping that individuals would do something, but they haven’t.

“They spent around €14m this summer and I don’t think there’s anyone you could sell for a profit.

“The atmosphere in the stadium on match days is toxic, the fans had had enough and things had to change.

“It costs a lot to manage Rangers and maybe now people will understand the job that Steven Gerrard did.

“Michael Beale trained a lot, but Gerrard could manage the players and that is not easy.

“Going forward, Rangers need to find an experienced manager.

‘I think since Walter Smith moved years ago there have been agreements that you would question.

“Steven Gerrard himself was given time but if you look at the Covid situation he might not have got the chance to go for 55 (titles) if that hadn’t happened, but he did.”

‘The anticipation is greater than I’ve ever seen’

Former Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson on Sky Sports News:

“If you look at the club and how big it is, I’m pretty sure all the big hitters and all the big names are going to have their agents on the phone calling the Rangers board to make sure they try to deploy.” a claim to go before the board and try to prove to them that they could be the next person.

“I wouldn’t like to put individual names in there because I think you almost have doubts. But what I would say is it’s a prestigious job, it’s as good as it gets, a huge club, an opportunity.” win silverware.

“The anticipation and demand is greater than I’ve ever seen. I think the club is in a good position. There are selling points; they’ve got a cup semi-final on the horizon, there’s still the Scottish Cup to win to play for, they are still in Europe.

“There are opportunities there. I think it’s a brilliant club, with brilliant fans, with the expectation to try and win silverware and play there at an elite level for everyone to see.

“I would be really disappointed if the club didn’t have some huge names in the hat and then pick who they think is the best candidate.”

The next manager must have a proven track record

Kenny Miller believes appointing an inexperienced team to take on interim leadership is a risk, but he insists the board needs time to ensure the next manager is someone who will mount a title challenge:

“It’s a huge gamble (appointing Steven Davis), but when clubs find themselves in these situations they need to have someone in charge.

“Steven is a really good guy to have, he is calm and knows everything about the club. He has been a player for a long time and has been part of some very successful teams.

“He will be able to start in the short term, but this next appointment is very important for this board so that they get the right man.

“They need someone with a proven track record of success and maybe they need the character of the staff to be in front of these 50,000 fans every week even when things aren’t going well.

“They must have broad shoulders to take responsibility and manage this wonderful club.

“There are a big few weeks coming up for the board as you don’t want to be hasty and make an appointment, but Steven and the management team really are.

“They have the international breakthrough, so they have a bit of time to do the work.

“The season is not lost, this can be saved, so I would like to see the right agreement made as soon as possible.”

Davis ‘honored’ by his appointment as interim boss

Davis declared himself “very honoured” after receiving a call “out of the blue” to take charge of Rangers on an interim basis following Beale’s sacking.

The 38-year-old Northern Irishman, who had two fruitful spells as a player at Ibrox, was invited by the Gers board on Sunday evening to take over until a new permanent boss was appointed.

Speak with Rangers TV On Monday he said: “I’m very honoured. The call came a bit out of the blue. I didn’t expect it but I would just like to try to repay the confidence the club has shown by bringing me into the club stiches.” this position.

“It’s obviously not a position we’d like to be in, we’re disappointed with where we are at the moment, but I’m really looking forward to the challenge.

“I’m very happy to have this opportunity. I believe in the group we have. Things haven’t gone the way we wanted and we find ourselves in this situation, but I’m sure that we and the fans who are pushing We can continue in the same direction and achieve good results.

“Ultimately at a club like Rangers we have to get results first and foremost. I just want to try to get some pride back in the way we play and also try to get the boys’ confidence back.”

“We have a very good group here. I see the level of application here, I’ve been in and around it long enough with the majority of them, so I just want to get that belief back into the team and give them a platform to show their best performances.

“Management was something I thought about later. I hadn’t expected this opportunity, it hadn’t crossed my mind, but it was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse.

“It’s going to be a great experience for me and I’m really looking forward to the challenge. Everyone knows what the club means to me. My approach will just be the same as I was as a player, which is just to do my best. Hopefully that’s good enough.”

The Rangers’ next five games

5th of October: Aris Limassol (a), Europa League, kick-off 5.45pm

October 8: Saint Mirren (a), Scottish Premiership, kick-off 12:00 – live on Sky Sports

21st of October: Hibernian (h), Scottish Premiership, kick-off 3pm

26th of October: Sparta Prague (a), Europa League, kick-off 5.45pm

29 October: Hearts (h), Scottish Premiership, kick-off 3pm

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