After all the speculation linking Rangers’ long managerial search to Aberdeen’s Derek McInnes, yesterday evening he rejected our advances.
With Aberdeen rejecting our original request for permission to speak to the gaffer, he was set for a meeting with chairman Stewart Milne as he was interested in hearing what we had to say and admitted he ‘had a lot to consider’.
Having weighed up the approach, he ultimately decided against making the switch and with such a long managerial search, when it was clear who our presumed favourite for the role was, this has obviously come as a blow to the club and created plenty of talking points.
The BBC carried the following from Milne.
‘As everyone is aware, Rangers made an approach on Tuesday evening and they were refused permission to speak with Derek. I spoke with Derek, who felt it was a major thing to be considered for the managerial position at a club such as Rangers and we agreed he could have some time to think about the approach and talk it through with his family. Over the past 48 hours, I have been in constant dialogue with Derek and having weighed up the opportunity, he has taken the decision to remain as Aberdeen FC manager. Derek has also been maintaining close contact with Paul Sheerin. Derek appreciates all that he has at this club and feels he wants to keep driving the club forward. This is where he wants to be and he feels he very much has unfinished business with Aberdeen FC. I personally am delighted that Derek has decided to remain with the club and everyone looks forward to putting the speculation of the past few weeks behind us and concentrating on matters on the park starting at Dens tomorrow evening.’
There’s plenty of speculation suggesting that McInnes was unwilling to ‘wreck’ his time at Pittodrie when he didn’t feel entirely ‘wanted’ by our board.
Rangers themselves released a statement following the news breaking, including a veiled dig at McInnes and confirmation that caretaker gaffer Graeme Murty would remain in position until at least the new year.
‘There has been a great deal of media speculation regarding the appointment of a new manager. We assure all supporters that they will be the first to know when we are certain we have someone with the correct qualities required by our club. The Chairman made it clear at the AGM that the club did not consider there to be an outstanding candidate among those who had applied for the position and the club was therefore considering managers currently under contract. This requires permission from their present clubs.’
The statement added.
‘After the two games against Aberdeen, we requested permission to engage with their manager to assess his readiness and willingness to consider the Rangers position. This was declined. We were subsequently made aware by Aberdeen`s statement that, at this stage in his career, it would be best for him to remain in his current post. We endorse that position because moving to a massive club like Rangers is a big step with concomitant risk. We continue to consider candidates but will only appoint someone in whom we have full confidence and who feels he is ready for the job.’
Ending with.
‘In the meantime, we have great confidence in Graeme Murty, who will continue as interim manager at least until the end of the year. The manner in which he has approached this task is a credit to himself and the club.’
To read the full statement Click Here.
