Rangers could unveil their preferred management choice Philippe Clement as Michael Beale’s successor in the coming days, with a “concrete” offer already made.
The hunt for the Ibrox management hotseat has certainly heated up in recent days, with a slew of individuals in the running to succeed Beale.
Pascal Jansen of AZ Alkmaar, Kevin Muscat of Yokohama F. Marinos, Ryan Lowe of Preston, Frank Lampard, Philippe Clement, and Derek McInnes of Kilmarnock have all been connected with the vacant managerial position at Ibrox.
After firing Beale, 43, on Sunday 1 October following the defeat to Aberdeen, CEO James Bisgrove and chairman John Bennett are driving the search for his replacement, with a decision likely before the end of the international break [Chris Jack, 6 October].
Sky Sports also stated on October 6 that two names are the frontrunners in the race after Frank Lampard was ruled out, with Clement and Muscat the frontrunners.
The British broadcaster reported on Friday (6 October) that the Light Blues are still working through a managerial shortlist that has been in place for several months and are set to begin the final round of interviews on Monday (9 October), which could imply that Bisgrove already knows who he wants in the Ibrox managerial hotseat.
And a breakthrough appeared to have arrived on Tuesday (10 October), when news from Saudi Arabia reported that the Light Blues had made Clement a four-year offer to take up the vacant position [Al-Riyadiah, 10 October].
PLZ Soccer later stated that the Belgian manager was scheduled to arrive in Scotland on Tuesday night to negotiate terms.
That allegation, however, was quickly debunked by Rangers Review journalist Chris Jack, who shared on his own Twitter account (10 October) that the Gers have not made a definitive decision on any management candidate and that conversations are still ongoing.
However, in a surprising development on Tuesday, it was claimed in Belgium that Rangers have made a “concrete” offer to the former Monaco manager [Nieuwsblad Sport, 10 October], with a decision coming very soon.
Rangers may appear to be telling their closest sources that no decision has been taken, but that they are working behind the scenes to select the Belgian manager as their first choice, and what an exciting appointment it could be.
If the club is to have any hope of success on the pitch, the next person in the dugout must be there for the long haul, and it appears that John Bennett and James Bisgrove have chosen Clement to be that man.
Clement was known in France for his attractive and innovative brand of football, attributes that Gers fans are longing for right now, and the Gers board will not want to be waiting too long before they return to action against Hibernian on 21 October.
Before then, the new manager will need time to settle in, pick his backroom staff, and get to know his team well, for which an announcement might be made in a matter of days. Encouragement of growth.
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