News broke earlier this week that Rangers manager Philippe Clement had been sacked from his role at Ibrox after the club was defeated 2-0 at home to St. Mirren. Now, the market has opened for the Belgian's potential replacement.
The disappointing result meant that Rangers remained 13 points behind league leaders Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, some way off their bitter rivals.
It may come as a surprise that Clement was sacked having lost just 16 of his 86 games in charge of the Gers, but, in essence, failing to beat Celtic is regarded as a failure but the club's hierarchy in this day and age.
The 50-year-old did manage to win the Scottish League Cup with the club in 2023, but, since then, has failed to pick up any silverware. His team were also knocked out of the competition this season by Scottish Championship club Queen's Park, something that was touted to have been behind his dismissal.
Now, with the market wide open as to who will replace Clement, former player and current interim coach Barry Ferguson leads the way at 7/1.
Rangers next manager odds: Current favourites
Barry Ferguson – 7/1
Having been appointed interim boss while the club search for a new manager, former Rangers player Barry Ferguson has simultaneously emerged as the favourite for the head coach role at Ibrox.
A Scotsman and former player himself, Ferguson made 288 league appearances for the Gers, scoring 44 times from midfield and etching his name into the history books as a club legend.
The five-time Scottish Premiership winner certainly knows how to pick up silverware in the nation's top flight, also registering as a UEFA Cup runner-up in 2007/08, as Rangers were defeated in the final by Russian giants Zenit.
In terms of management, Ferguson is also fairly well-versed. He managed Clyde FC for 117 games between 2014 and 2017, winning 46 times and drawing 21. His most recent position as head coach came with Alloa Athletic, where he was unfortunately dismissed following a run of only nine victories in 33 matches.
While the step up to being a permanent fixture for his beloved Rangers would definitely be huge, Ferguson has proven he can handle the pressure at club level. Bookies are pricing him at 7/1 to do the same as a gaffer, odds which would provide a fantastic return for punters if the club were to back their current interim coach.
Steven Gerrard – 7/1
Having just been sacked from his position as head coach of Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ettifaq with the club sat in ninth place in the Saudi League, former Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has astoundingly been tipped to return to the club with which he christened his managerial career.
The previous Champions League winner led Rangers between 2018 and 2021, averaging an excellent tally of 2.15 points per game, winning 124 of his 192 games in charge, a record which many would consider very strong.
The Scouser was also able to provide the Scottish giants with some silverware, winning the Scottish Premiership in the 2020/21 campaign. The club went unbeaten that season, conceding just 13 goals across their 38 fixtures, a mind-blowing record.
However, Gerrard left the club to take over at Aston Villa, where his results were rather poor. A horrible streak of two wins in 12 Premier League matches led to the former top-flight stalwart losing his job after just 40 games in charge.
At 7/1, bookies see Gerrard as an equal favourite, but, with progression in mind, it arguably seems unlikely that the 44-year-old would return to Scottish football after its decline in reputation in recent years.
David Wagner – 8/1
Former Huddersfield and Norwich boss David Wagner has almost emerged as a candidate to make the move to Ibrox. Most recently, the American's stint at Carrow Road did not go to plan, with the club unable to achieve promotion back to the promised land under his leadership, as he won only 31 of his 75 matches in the Championship.
Having also managed Schalke and Young Boys, Wagner has an extensive resume in European football management, and a role with the Gers would be his first position since May of the previous year. Thus, it may be time for him to dust of the cobwebs and reestablish himself in the field.
With the end of the 2024/25 campaign on the horizon, we believe that Wagner would be a solid choice for punters. It will be impossible to catch Celtic now, but he could certainly be the man to do it next season. 8/1 are his current odds, placing him slightly behind both Gerrard and Ferguson.
Lifelong Ipswich Town supporter who recently graduated from Durham University in French and German. Have developed a passion for European football based on my links abroad and am an avid supporter of Werder Bremen and Auxerre. Joined the MFT team in October 2024 and looking to take my first steps into the world of football journalism.
In December 2020 we sadly 
