Rangers appear to be closing in on the appointment of Giovanni van Bronckhorst as their new manager – but Jean-Paul van Gastel seemingly isn’t Ibrox-bound.
The Times claim that Rangers have agreed a deal in principle for Van Bronckhorst to become their next boss.
A week since Steven Gerrard’s exit, Rangers look set to name his successor – but his backroom staff has been an issue.
Van Gastel was Van Bronckhorst’s assistant manager at both Feyenoord and Guangzhou City.
When Van Bronckhorst left the Chinese club almost a year ago, Van Gastel took over as manager.
Van Gastel is understandably the top choice for Van Bronckhorst in the assistant manager role – but it won’t be happening.
The Times carry a statement from Guangzhou City in which they denied any talk of Van Gastel taking a role at Ibrox.
“Jean-Paul van Gastel is currently preparing the team for the Super League Championship Stage which starts in December. He has offered no communication with us about leaving,” the statement reads.
It looks like Van Bronckhorst will have to start his Rangers managerial career without his trusted right-hand man.
Given his lengthy career and steps into coaching, Van Bronckhorst will likely have plenty of contacts and other candidates in mind.
Not being able to land Van Gastel is a blow though, with the 49-year-old unable to make the move to Rangers right now.
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