Rangers eye Ancelotti to replace Barry Ferguson

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·14 mai 2025

Rangers eye Ancelotti to replace Barry Ferguson

Interest Grows Around Davide Ancelotti and Rangers Role

Rangers’ managerial search remains wide open as Davide Ancelotti, assistant coach at Real Madrid and son of esteemed tactician Carlo Ancelotti, emerges as a name of interest. The Scottish Premiership side have reportedly sounded out the 35-year-old Italian, though no front-runner has yet been confirmed.

According to Spanish outlet Marca, the potential involvement of 49ers Enterprises—currently in discussions to take over at Ibrox—has led to Davide Ancelotti being flagged as a candidate. While the club have yet to publicly acknowledge contact with Ancelotti, internal conversations are said to be ongoing.

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Despite the speculation, sources close to the process suggest Rangers are still evaluating their options and caution against reading too much into claims that Ancelotti is the favourite. Other names remain firmly in contention, with no decision imminent.

Davide Ancelotti’s Coaching Pedigree and Options

Davide Ancelotti has built a solid coaching résumé working alongside his father at European giants such as Bayern Munich, Napoli, and Everton. A former player himself, having featured for AC Milan’s youth setup and Borgomanero, Ancelotti Jr. is now part of Real Madrid’s backroom team.

Coach Jose Mourinho R of Fenerbahce SK and Coach Barry Ferguson of Rangers FC during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Round of 16 First Leg match between Fenerbahce SK and Rangers FC at Ulker Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on March 6, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. Istanbul Turkey Copyright: xSeskimPhotox Fenerbahce-Rangers-060325 219

That spell will come to an end shortly, with Carlo Ancelotti stepping down from Real Madrid to assume the Brazil national team role. As such, Davide is expected to join the Brazilian setup temporarily in early June.

BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balague noted:

“Davide will be with his father for the first two weeks of June, and then, if something comes up, he’ll start on his own. If not, he’ll stay in Brazil.”

While Rangers is reportedly among his options, Italian club Como are also believed to be in the frame. As it stands, Ancelotti is weighing up multiple opportunities while continuing to support his father in a transitional phase.

Barry Ferguson Hopes for Permanent Appointment

Barry Ferguson, a club legend and interim boss since Philippe Clement’s departure in February, remains hopeful of earning the role on a full-time basis. The 45-year-old has overseen Rangers’ last 13 fixtures, managing five wins and four draws.

Ferguson will lead the side in their final home outing against Dundee United on Wednesday, followed by a closing trip to Easter Road to face Hibernian. He believes clarity on his position and the club’s direction is just days away.

“In terms of the update on myself, that’s going to remain private, but I’m sure you’ll see over the next few days, hopefully there’s going to be movement,” he said.“I’ve mentioned a number of times, it has to get moving in terms of who’s going to be the manager because you’ve got pre-season coming up, there’s players out of contract, players back on loan etc.”

Rangers’ Path Ahead Remains Uncertain

Ferguson remains confident in his ability to lead Rangers back to silverware and has expressed disappointment at the possibility of missing out.

“I knew when I took the job that I could make a difference,” he added.“Has it been the way that I’ve wanted it to go? It’s not been perfect, I get that, but I think I’ve done okay.“I can do better, but if you give me the tools to go and do that, I know I’d be a success.”

Despite his ambitions, Ferguson is prepared to support whoever takes the reins.

“If somebody else gets it, I’ll still get behind them from a distance.“Will it hurt me? No, I’ll be disappointed. I’d be lying if I was sitting here saying otherwise, but I’m a big boy, I’ll get on with it and I’ll move on.”

“Whoever’s in the job I hope gets the full support of everybody, because this club’s not been successful enough for a number of years and now what an opportunity you have to go and bring that success back.”

As the Ibrox hierarchy continue deliberations, both Ancelotti and Ferguson represent very different but compelling visions for Rangers’ future. Expect developments in the days to come.