Rangers have been linked with bringing Jean-Paul van Gastel to Ibrox – and they may have hope of landing him in the near future.
On Monday, Rangers presented their new man. Giovanni van Bronckhorst was put in front of the media as Steven Gerrard’s successor.
After Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Hibernian, Van Bronckhorst may be left wondering what he has walked into at Ibrox.
There is real belief in Van Bronckhorst though. A Rangers man in his playing days and a title-winner at Feyenoord as a manager, he seems ideal to replace Gerrard.
Van Bronckhorst has brought in some new faces to help him. Roy Makaay, Yori Bosschaart and Arno Philips are all in, joining the Rangers coaching staff.
Van Gastel has been wanted too – but that pursuit hasn’t been easy.
The pair worked together at Feyenoord and then in China with Guangzhou City. When Van Bronckhorst left the latter, Van Gastel took over.
A reunion at Rangers would be ideal. Unfortunately, Algemeen Dagblad reported that it look unlikely that Van Gastel would be allowed to leave for Ibrox.
Guangzhou City then claimed Van Gastel had not communicated any intention to leave, and the appointment of Makaay seemed to end Rangers’ chase.
There could be a twist in the tale though.
Chinese news outlet Sohu report that Guanzghou City are already planning for life without Van Gaztel.
The Dutchman’s contract ends after the Chinese season finishes, which will be in January.
Guangzhou City have allegedly picked out Zhao Junzhe – currently a coach at the club – as the man they want to replace Van Gastel.
Junzhe, 42, played 71 times for China and was a one-club man domestically, playing more than 400 times for Liaoning FC.
That could clear the way for Van Gastel to join Rangers after all, with Van Bronckhorst surely watching that situation with interest.
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