Michael Mols has told The Scottish Sun he never expected Giovanni van Bronckhorst would ply his trade as a manager while the Premiership winning pair played together at Rangers.
Mols followed Van Bronckhorst to Ibrox a year after his compatriot, as the Gers improved their 1998/99 title-winning side. And would go on to lift the title together in their first year.
But Van Bronckhorst never showed Mols signs he would go from one side of the touchline to the other. With the defender a very reserved presence in Dick Advocaat’s dressing room.
However, Van Bronckhorst is the man Rangers have hired to replace Steven Gerrard as their manager after he joined Aston Villa. He will now take over at Ibrox with the club top of the Premiership, subject to receipt of a work permit.
Mols hopes Van Bronckhorst can continue his successful spells in management at Rangers. Even if he never saw his title-winning teammate as a future head coach.
“He did a good job at Feyenoord and won trophies,” Mols said. “But when I think back to our time together, I have to be honest and say he wasn’t someone I could see becoming a manager at all.
“He was quiet in our dressing room. He would just be there, listening to Dick Advocaat… But everybody has their own path and Gio has done really well so far in management. I hope that continues, especially if he goes to Rangers.”
Mols offers Van Bronckhorst advice for successful spell as Rangers manager
Mols has also advised Van Bronckhorst to bring people in to his backroom team at Rangers who understand Scottish football. With Barry Ferguson and Neil McCann tipped as options.
“I think that would be important,” he added. “Gio should look to take someone with him who knows Scottish football because it’s been a long time since he played there.
“Ferguson or McCann will have a knowledge that Gio doesn’t have right now. They also know what it means to play for Rangers. I would definitely recommend one of the Scots goes with him. That’s what I would do if I was a manager.”
Van Bronckhorst wanted Jean-Paul van Gastel to follow him to Rangers as his assistant coach. They worked together at Feyenoord and Guangzhou City, but will not now at Ibrox.
The Chinese Super League outfit Van Bronckhorst left in January issued a statement, via The Times, claiming ‘he has offered no communication with us about leaving’.
Ferguson or McCann may be wise options for Van Bronckhorst as he builds a backroom team at Rangers, then. Looking to repeat his Feyenoord success, having won the KNVB Cup in his debut season at the helm before lifting the Eredivisie title in the following term.
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