47-year-old bursting to become Rangers manager, he will get chance – Keith Jackson
47-year-old bursting to become Rangers manager, he will get chance – Keith Jackson
Barry Ferguson has set his sights on claiming the hot seat at Rangers for himself as the proposed takeover edges closer to completion.
The former Ibrox captain had a dream-come-true moment when he was announced as the Light Blues’ head coach until the end of the season in the wake of Philippe Clement’s sacking in February.
With a consortium led by Paraag Marathe and Andrew Cavenagh at an advanced stage of buying Rangers, it seemed Ferguson would be a stopgap fix until a permanent manager is hired at the end of the season.
However, the 47-year-old staked a claim to be the Glasgow giants’ manager on a permanent basis after earning a surprise 3-1 win against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie last Thursday (6 March).
Ferguson to be given Rangers chance after Cavenagh development
While Ferguson has not expressed his desire to remain in charge of Rangers beyond this season publicly, he is “bursting” to keep his place at the helm, according to Keith Jackson.
The journalist is also of the view that the former midfielder may have earned himself a golden chance after Cavenagh witnessed the victory over Fenerbahce live in Istanbul.
He suggested that positive results against the Turkish giants and Celtic between now and Sunday (16 March) could solidify his chances in the new owners’ eyes.
“He won’t admit as much in public. But, then again, he doesn’t really need to”, Jackson wrote in his column on the Record‘s website (10 March).
“It’s ripping out of his every sinew and fibre. Be in no doubt, Barry Ferguson is absolutely bursting to become the next Rangers manager on a full-time basis.
“And you know what? Over the course of the next six days and against all of the odds he will be given a once in a lifetime opportunity to earn it.
“Thursday night’s jawdropping Europa League win over Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce was the moment the former Ibrox skipper announced himself as a genuine bona fide candidate for the position which he’s currently holding down in the capacity of caretaker.
“That the American health insurance tycoon [Cavenagh] who is about to become the club’s new owner was there in Istanbul to witness Ferguson’s landmark victory for himself will, at the very least, have given the incoming consortium a serious curve ball on which to ponder.”
49ers takeover nearing completion at Ibrox
It emerged last week that Marathe and Cavenagh have agreed a deal in principle to acquire a 51 per cent stake at Rangers.
Therefore, it is only a matter of time before the US consortium including 49ers Enterprises comes into power at Ibrox, with the incoming owners sweeping through the legalities of the deal.
It remains to be seen who they will appoint as Rangers’ next permanent manager when the takeover is finalised.
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