The common theme when it came to criticism of Giovanni van Bronckhorst before yesterday’s defeat in Perth was that there was no discernible style of play. There didn’t seem to be a system other than passing it from one side of the park to the other before throwing an aimless cross into the box.
There has been one high-profile sacking but it isn’t Gio, however, the manager concerned will probably be near the top of the betting if Ross Wilson and the Rangers board do pull the trigger.
Ralf Hasenhuttl was, somewhat ironically, identified by Wilson to be Southampton’s manager but the Austrian has been removed from his duties after an indifferent start to the season, he has never had it easy on the south coast and has been on the end of more than one heavy defeat, by heavy, I mean 9-0.
He does though, have a philosophy that would make him an interesting option, one that saw him, as RB Leipzig manager, gain promotion to the Bundesliga and then finish second in their first season in the top flight.
Speaking ahead of Naby Keita’s move to Liverpool from Leipzig a few years ago, he said about his relationship with Jurgen Klopp and how easily the player would adapt, via Bundesliga.com:
“I think we appreciate a similar philosophy on football – we want to play a high tempo game, we want our guys to sprint around, press well and these are elements which make the game livelier and varied and get people excited.”
Rangers fans need a lift and the club needs an injection of energy. Perhaps Hasenhuttl, a high-tempo style of play and a reunion with our sporting director might not be entirely out of the question.