Rangers close to finalising deal for Steven Gerrard’s successor as manager- After Steven Gerrard left for Aston Villa, Giovanni van Bronckhorst is close to taking over as manager at Ibrox; the Scottish Premiership champions are said to be delighted with the developments following a rigorous process. Rangers lead the league by four points over Celtic, who are in second place.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst is close to reaching an agreement in principle to take over as manager of the Rangers.
The former Rangers full-back is nearing a return to Ibrox to succeed Steven Gerrard, who left to return to the Premier League to manage Aston Villa.
Rangers are understood to be very pleased with developments after a thorough process led by sporting director Ross Wilson, with a host of strong candidates on their shortlist.
Rangers then host Sparta Prague in the Europa League at Ibrox before traveling to Livingston and Hibernian for important league away fixtures.
The major goal for the Scottish Premiership champions was to make the best possible appointment for the club’s future, with Champions League status all but assured if they retain their championship this season.
Rangers are top of the Scottish Premiership after 13 matches, four points ahead of rivals Celtic in second.
What are Van Bronckhorst’s credentials?
Van Bronckhorst played for Rangers between 1998 and 2001, winning five trophies, including two league titles, before spells at some of Europe’s elite clubs such as Arsenal and Barcelona.
After hanging up his boots at Feyenoord in 2010, the 46-year-old went on to join the coaching set-up under Ronald Koeman at the Dutch club, before taking full control in 2015.
Lorenzo Amoruso, a former Rangers defender, spent three years at Ibrox alongside Giovanni van Bronckhorst and believes the Dutchman would be a fine pick as the club’s next manager.
In his first full season in command, he guided Feyenoord to the KNVB Cup final, followed by the Eredivisie title the following year, the club’s first in 18 years.
Van Bronckhorst went on to play for Guangzhou City in the Chinese Super League, where he finished 11th and returned home to his family.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News, the former Netherlands captain revealed how spending five months with the City group, studying Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola’s methods, helped shape his own philosophy and approach to coaching.