Graeme Souness has told TalkSPORT (Monday, 10.10AM) that he feels Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been harshly sacked by Rangers, after the Ibrox club confirmed the decision on Monday morning – after a tricky start to 2022-23.
Van Bronckhorst finished last season on a high. Taking Rangers to the Europa League final and losing on penalties, with on-loan Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey missing his spot-kick. He also guided the Gers to a Scottish Cup trophy.
However, this season, the Gers are way off it. The Gers finished their Champions League group stage campaign as the worst-ever side, in terms of numbers. They sit nine points behind Old Firm rivals Celtic in second place in Scotland.
It has seen van Bronckhorst sacked after weeks and even months of speculation surrounding the Dutch gaffer’s future. Rangers legend Souness, who managed the club for five years after playing 73 times for the Gers, gave his verdict.
“I’ve been there, it is a difficult job to manage an Old Firm team. You can be second, but playing the best football – but all the spotlight is on you. You get the flak. The knock-on is players don’t deal with that pressure very well.
He played there, he knows the pressure, he knows you can’t be second to Celtic. I’m never happy managers getting the sack. Just remember, they got to a European final with a tiny, fragmented budget.
“It shows you how fickle football is. Could easily have won the final, all of a sudden, you’re under pressure. I’m sad for him, but he knows that is the price of the ticket. You just cannot be playing second fiddle,” Souness said, on TalkSPORT.
Souness: Van Bronckhorst harshly sacked by Rangers
While it is harsh and van Bronckhorst did deserve more credit following the end of last season, albeit finishing second to Celtic, it looked as if it was only going one way. When the fans are on your back, it is difficult to win them back.
Van Bronckhorst has enjoyed success at Ibrox but this season, they look a team with a lack of confidence. A team that have been knocked for six by a woeful Champions League campaign. Whoever comes in, needs to replace that belief.
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