Rangers haven’t really made an approach for Giovanni Van Bronckhorst – but Arsene Wenger believes he can replace him at Arsenal.
One of Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s former clubs are reportedly ready to put their faith in him as their next manager. According to The Star, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has headhunted the Dutchman as the right man to take over once he finally brings his two-decade long stint in charge of the North London giants to an end.
The 42-year-old’s coaching career has been short but sweet so far. Van Bronckhorst, who spent two years under Wenger at Arsenal in his playing days, has only been in charge of Dutch giants Feyenoord since May 2015 but, after leading them to the KNVB Cup in his first full season ended their 18-year wait for the Eredivisie title last season.
But the fact that Wenger himself rates his former protégé so highly, and would trust his beloved club in the former left-back’s hands, are perhaps the greatest reflection yet of his managerial abilities.
Though Rangers fans are entitled to wonder why team Van Bronckhorst represented in his storied playing career has not done more to lure him to Britain a little earlier. Rangers supporters were thrilled when their former fans’ favourite emerged on the bookies’ shortlist to replace Pedro Caixinha recently.
But while Van Bronckhorst said ahead of Feyenoord’s Champions League clash with Napoli on Tuesday, per the Scottish Sun, that he sees his immediate future at De Kuip, there remains a nagging feeling that Rangers have not done enough to tempt him with a return to Ibrox.
Rangers certainly haven’t pulled out all the stops to land Van Bronckhorst – the board deciding that British is best while fluttering their eyelashes in the direction of Michael O’Neill and Derek McInnes, both of whom now look increasingly unlikely to get the job anyway.
But if Van Bronckhorst stays in Holland until Wenger calls it a day, the overriding sensation will be that Rangers have missed an opportunity.
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