It might not have happened as quickly as fans would have wanted, however, Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been removed as Rangers manager after seeing his side fall nine points behind Celtic in the title race and a disastrous Champions League campaign.
For a while, it looked as though the Dutchman was going to be backed into the new year and when he had key players returning from injury, however, it will be a new man in the dugout when domestic football kicks off after the World Cup but who will it be?
The following names have already been mentioned and occupy the top of the list when it comes to the bookies’ odds.
Sean Dyche
If style of play was an issue under Gio, I really can’t see us going for Dyche, however, Ross Wilson has worked with the former Burnley and Watford manager in the past. It’s harsh to say that Dyche is one dimensional though given that he has won the Championship with a more attractive philosophy and that he was always up against it in terms of budget in the Premier League. An appointment that would be more about soft skills rather than tactical.
Kevin Muscat
Nowhere to be seen in terms of early betting, however, his name has appeared in the last week or so. Not only does he have a more aggressive style of play but he has a history of success in his young managerial career. Ticks a lot of boxes but is still under contract.
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Another former Premier League manager who is available and has worked with our sporting director. If we saw the Hasenhuttl style of play from RB Leipzig then it would be a great appointment and, like Muscat, would make a lot of sense in terms of playing philosophy.
Kjetil Knutsen
Having just left Bodo/Glimt, Knutsen is now available and likely to be in demand. If we want him we will need to move quickly. Another who would instantly get us playing more on the front foot domestically and knows what it takes to beat this Celtic team.
Michael Beale and Steven Gerrard
Taking a step backwards shouldn’t even be a remote consideration. Their last six months at Rangers and how they have performed since they left suggests that we need to move on from them now, thanks, but no thanks.
With the players gradually returning to training and a three-week block available for a new manager to put plans into place before the transfer window opens in January, there couldn’t be a better time to take charge, hopefully the board get this one right.