Rangers parted ways with manager Mark Warburton on Friday.
Former Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish
Rangers are looking for a new manager after confirming on their official website on Friday night that manager Mark Warburton has resigned from his position at Ibrox.
Warburton guided the Gers to promotion from the Scottish Premiership last season, but lukewarm performances and disappointing results – such as the 4-1 defeat at Hearts earlier this month – had piled the pressure on Warburton.
Whilst Warburton was under real pressure, many expected him to be sacked if he was to leave the club, but his resignation has been accepted after a bizarre sequence of events regarding a failed move to Nottingham Forest, as reported by the Daily Record.
Graeme Murty took charge of the Gers for Sunday’s 2-1 Scottish Cup victory over Morton, and whilst Warburton has told The Scottish Sun that he doesn’t know what Rangers are talking about, claiming he hasn’t resigned, the search for a new manager is well and truly on.
Bookmakers have been pricing up odds for who could replace Warburton over the weekend, and here are five of the biggest movers in the market today, as compiled by Oddschecker.
Alex McLeish: 1/3
Ever since Warburton left Ibrox, McLeish became the hot favourite for the job, and that remains the case today with odds at just 1/3 with some bookmakers. The 58-year-old Glaswegian won two league titles with Rangers during four-and-a-half years in charge of the club, having arrived from Hibernian towards the end of 2001. Now out of work having left Egyptian side Zamalek, McLeish has been backed to step in at Ibrox until the end of the season, with fans maybe not so keen on him being the long-term answer given his recent poor spells with Zamalek, Genk, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa.
Tommy Wright 17/2
St Johnstone boss Wright has worked wonders on a small budget, and his work has made him a candidate for the job among some fans and pundits. The Northern Irishman, 47, told BBC Sport earlier today that the suggestions of a move to Ibrox mean that he’s doing a good job at St Johnstone, but didn’t really indicate that he would be leaving for Rangers. Wright may not be a name to excite Rangers fans, but he knows Scottish football, and could work on the budget at his disposal in Glasgow should Rangers make a move.
Former Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo applauds their fans
Derek McInnes 9/1
Another manager with experience of Scottish football, Aberdeen boss McInnes had a spell with Rangers as a player, and has been heavily touted for a move back to Ibrox as Warburton’s replacement. After a poor stint in England with Bristol City, McInnes has rebuilt his stock as a manager having turned Aberdeen into Celtic’s main title challengers in recent years, putting him in contention for Rangers. However, his odds have today drifted out to 9/1, which means that whilst he’s still one of the main contenders, an immediate move doesn’t look likely.
Roberto Di Matteo 10/1
One of the interesting names in the mix today, Italian Di Matteo is in at 10/1 this evening. The 46-year-old may have won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, but his more recent spells as a manager haven’t reaped many rewards. Di Matteo was not only sacked by Aston Villa earlier this season after a disappointing spell at Villa Park, but also struggled with previous club Schalke as well. His short odds have come from nowhere today, meaning he’s something of a dark horse for the job.
Gennaro Gattuso 14/1
A man who has previously suggested he would want the job is Gattuso, another Italian. The 39-year-old played for Rangers during the late 1990’s, and became a hero with AC Milan as a player with two Champions League title wins to his name. As a manager though, Gattuso has endured a nomadic career. After spells with Sion, Palermo and OFI Crete, Gattuso is now in charge of Italian second division side Pisa, and his ties to Ibrox mean he’s a 14/1 shot for the Rangers job tonight.
Who would you like to see Rangers appoint as their new manager?
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