It’s safe to say that Rangers fans expected an announcement on the future of Giovanni van Bronckhorst as manager in the aftermath of the defeat to St Johnstone, that there hasn’t even been as much as a hint of a decision suggests that one isn’t coming any time soon.
With two games to go until the World Cup break though, any more slip-ups will surely spell curtains for the Dutchman and fans are already starting to look at potential replacements.
Two names who have been mentioned in the last few days are Sean Dyche and Ralf Hasenhuttl, both now out of work and readily available, a small detail that is likely to appeal to the Rangers board.
Writing in his Daily Express column, via The Daily Record, Charlie Nicholas has backed Gio to stay but, if he doesn’t that the two former Premier League gaffers would jump at the chance to head north:
“Dyche and Ralf Hasenhuttl should be serious contenders to replace Giovanni van Bronckhorst – if the Rangers board axe him. Ibrox sporting director Ross Wilson worked with Dyche at Watford as well as Hasenhuttl at Southampton, who sacked the Austrian yesterday. Dyche is also out of work, with Burnley having ended his 10-year tenure there in April.
“They are both options if Van Bronckhorst is shown the door. Dyche would instil belief and a battling mentality in the players, although he isn’t known for being a builder of teams as I didn’t see too many youngsters at Burnley. I don’t think Dyche or Hasenhuttl would be averse to kick-starting their managerial careers in Scotland.”
They would have been on wages well out of our price bracket in the Premier League and won’t be short of offers, however, I doubt that they will get the chance to manage teams that compete for silverware so often and with the chance to regularly get into the Champions League.
I still think Hasenhuttl would be the best fit in terms of style of play but we all know what Dyche would bring to the club in terms of presence. For once though, I agree with Nicholas, I just can’t see this board pulling the trigger any time soon regardless of the pressure from fans.