'I thought Rangers manager job would never come' - Ferguson - Voice of Asia

Following the departure of Philippe Clement, Barry Ferguson has been appointed as the manager of Glasgow Rangers until the end of the season. Ferguson openly admitted, "I didn't think this day would ever come." This appointment signifies a pivotal moment for the club as they navigate the remainder of the season.

The 47-year-old former club captain will be joined by a coaching team comprised of former Rangers and Scotland teammates Neil McCann, Billy Dodds, and Allan McGregor, with Clement's assistant, Essaam Chaalai, also joining the staff. Ferguson's most recent managerial role was three years ago with the amateur side Alloa Athletic. He will lead the team, currently second in the Scottish Premiership, for the first time on Wednesday in an away match against Kilmarnock, setting the stage for his return to professional management.

While announcing the new management team and confirming the departure of coaches Alex Rae, Colin Stewart, and Stephan van der Heyden, Rangers stated, "A new, permanent manager will be appointed in the coming months." Ferguson, who served as a club ambassador during his time away from coaching, told Rangers TV that he is aware "it's only three months," but he emphasized, "My job is to energize this group of players because when I look at them, I think there are very good players there." He added, "It's a job I couldn't turn down. Honestly, I didn't think this day would ever come," highlighting his commitment to the team's success.

Clement left the Glasgow club on Sunday, a day after Rangers lost 0-2 at home to St. Mirren, leaving them 13 points behind league leaders Celtic. However, as Patrick Stewart welcomed Ferguson back to the club, the Rangers chief executive reiterated that "the problems we face run deeper than the manager." Stewart expressed similar sentiments last week in support of Clement, following Rangers' unexpected home defeat to second-tier Queen's Park in the Scottish Cup, although his team subsequently won away at Hearts, the consecutive defeats at Ibrox ultimately sealed the Belgian's fate.

Stewart said, "When I spoke to Rangers TV last week, I made it clear that everyone would be judged on results and no one has unlimited time in any position at the club. Ultimately, the reaction to the early Scottish Cup exit raised profound concerns and led the board to conclude that action was needed now." Stewart also wished Clement well for the future, calling him "an excellent man," acknowledging his contributions during his tenure.

Meanwhile, Rangers are continuing with an "ongoing football review" aimed at addressing the broader issues Stewart believes exist at the club, and are in talks with the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers, with an acquisition expected to be completed between April and June. Ferguson previously managed Clyde, Kelty Hearts, and Alloa, while the 50-year-old McCann has managed Dundee and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. The 56-year-old Dodds has served as an assistant coach at Ross County and later managed Inverness, while the 43-year-old goalkeeper McGregor has had two spells with Rangers, bringing a wealth of experience to the team.

Stewart said of Ferguson: "We thank him and his team for stepping up to the plate during this difficult period." The former midfielder and former winger McCann helped Rangers win two domestic trebles, and Ferguson won five league titles and 15 trophies during his two spells. McCann earned nine medals during his Ibrox playing career, including three top-flight medals, while forward Dodds won all three major domestic honors with Rangers. The trio have a combined 97 international caps, and have recently been working as media commentators, showcasing their expertise.

McGregor's first spell at Rangers coincided with Ferguson's second, and the former goalkeeper won 13 medals and 42 Scotland caps for Rangers. He left Rangers as a player in 2023. Rangers next host Motherwell on Saturday (15:00) and have a two-legged Europa League last-16 tie against Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce, as well as a league game away to Celtic before the March international break, setting up a challenging schedule.

Fenerbahce will host Rangers on March 6, with the return leg taking place at Ibrox seven days later. The next Old Firm derby will be held at Celtic Park on March 16, marking a crucial match for both teams.