The 39-year-old retains a special connection with Rangers but he’s hardly a stabilising influence
Amid doubts over the prospect of enticing the high-profile Frank De Boer to Ibrox and Derek McInnes intimating that he would be happier remaining at Aberdeen, Rangers can at least take some solace in knowing that there are a number of viable candidates that would jump at the chance of taking the reins.
Alex McLeish, a two time title winner in his first spell, admits he is and will forever be a ‘Rangers man’ while St Johnstone’s Tommy Wright suggested to the Scottish Sun that he would consider the job if the club came calling.
Yet, there’s one man who admits that it would be nothing short of ‘an honour’ to stand on the Ibrox touchline, as reported by The Guardian. It’s just a shame that Gennaro Gattuso’s managerial record is so erratic it would make Malky Mackay seem an intelligent appointment.
The Italian hardman made 51 appearances for Rangers between 1997 and 1999 before going on to snap at the heels of the very best in Champions League and World Cup finals in a distinguished career. However, Gattuso has retained a special connection with Glasgow.
“I would be interested in the vacancy,” Gattuso told The Guardian in 2015, shortly after being overlooked by Hamilton in favour of Martin Canning.
“I know the club has big problems at this moment but Rangers is still a big club with a big story behind it. For me it would be a big honour to manage this club and a big opportunity.”
Nonetheless, if its stability Rangers are after then the 39-year-old is probably not the right man for the job.
He lasted just three months as Swiss crisis club Sion in his first spell in management, two months with Palermo in Serie B and four with OFI Crete. The fact financial problems meant he and the players’ wages were anything but prompt didn’t help the bubbling frustrations behind the scenes in Cyprus.
Furthermore, despite leading Pisa to promotion from Serie B, he resigned shortly afterwards after falling out with the board only to be reinstated four weeks later.
Across his four clubs, Gattuso has averaged 16 games. For all his adoration for Rangers, perhaps they should take a safer option.
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