The Next Manager Of Rangers.

[Jockstar]

This is from The Daily Record. Looks like Big Ecks time is up. So who do you think it will be? My money is Terry Butcher.

By Alan Marshall

BOOKMAKERS believe former Hearts boss George Burley is battling it out with Motherwell manager Terry Butcher and German Ottmar Hitzfeld to replace Alex McLeish in the Ibrox hotseat.

After an afternoon of frantic gambling by punters, Ladbrokes slashed the odds on Burley being appointed new Gers boss from 7-2 to 2-1.

Ladbrokes have Hitzfeld at 7-2 and former Rangers hero Butcher at 4-1.

Spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "We held George Burley at 7-2 for most of the afternoon but by 4.15pm we'd laid enough and cut him to 2-1.

"It's not yet clear whether it's smart money or otherwise - let's just say that there's lots of it."

Fellow German Lothar Matthaus has also been installed in the market at 12-1 after suggestions in his home country that he may be interested.

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Pressure Totesport have priced up the next permanent Rangers manager if McLeish leaves and also name Burley as favourite.

The firm have him at 9-4 but have included another manager who is under pressure at the moment, Sir Alex Ferguson, and make him an 11-1 shot.

Paul Petrie, totesport spokesman said: "Fergie is a Rangers man at heart and may want to succeed where he perhaps failed as a player."

But bet365 have made former Rangers captain Butcher the front runner to be poached from Fir Park to replace McLeish at 3-1 with Burley on 7-2.

Other bet365 odds: Alan Curbishley 5-1; Ottmar Hitzfeld, Didier Deschamps 10-1; Terry Venables, Richard Gough, George Graham, Claudio Ranieri 12-1; Neil Warnock 14-1; Walter Smith, Sir Bobby Robson, Brian Laudrup, Sam Allardyce 16-1; Sir Alex Ferguson, Ally McCoist 20-1; Iain Durrant & John Brown 25-1.

Meanwhile, William Hill have closed their book on whether McLeish will be in or out of his job on Christmas Day after the odds shortened from 9-2 to 5-4 that he would be gone.

Edited November 11, 2005 by Jockstar

[johnh101]

It will NOT be Fergie, one must remember he was chased out of Rangers because he married a catholic, and if you read his autobiography you get the distinct impression that he has never forgiven them.

I feel sorry for Big Eck, seven trophies in 4 years and this is the thanks he gets. But he knew what he was taking on.

I think that they will try and get George Burley, but does he want it ? His family refused to move to Edinburgh when he joined Hearts so why would they want to move to Govan ?

Whoever it is he has a job on his hands. To try and turn one of the most expensive collections of genderly challanged ballet dancers into a league winning football team whilst the sectarian baby eating masses are baying for your blood is not a challenge most folk would fancy.

[lampard10]

Otto Rehagel probably would not flinch in the face of that challange, he's good enough (when he was with Werder, I rated him the best in the World) but can anyone prise him away from Greece. Another might be good old Ranieri.

[HarryHacker]

...Curbs was spotted at the match on Wednesday. The word from The Valley is, well in fact there are two reasons, 1) Being tempted to Manage Rangers or 2) Hopefully, making Hartson an offer!

Edited November 12, 2005 by HarryHacker

[johnh101]

Otto Rehagel probably would not flinch in the face of that challange, he's good enough (when he was with Werder, I rated him the best in the World) but can anyone prise him away from Greece. Another might be good old Ranieri.

I don't think Ranieri would be a success, but Curbishley, that would be interesting.

[Spit the Dog]

It wouldn't surprise me if Terry Butcher got the job. He is an ex Rangers player with Ibrox connections.

[johnh101]

But beating Celtic in the last game of the season is his only real qualification. If they do replace McLeish it will have to be someone higher profile.

[Sunderland]

Terry Butcher? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

I remember him at Sunderland .... hahahahahahahahahahahaha

[Jockstar]

I think we should get an ex Rangers player. I'm not saying Butcher is the man. But i wont be surprised if its him.

[bkkbound04]

bring back smith or sountan

i think butcher'll probably get a shot at the job

i didn't know that about fergie...guess that was before the days of mo johnston

[Jockstar]

Gough maybe be a good bet.

[Sunderland]

I think we should get an ex Rangers player. I'm not saying Butcher is the man. But i wont be surprised if its him.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not laughing at you, Rory. I am laughing at the tabloid speculation. God! He was awful when he managed Sunderland ...

[lampard10]

Gough maybe be a good bet.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Darren?

[HarryHacker]

I really dont like the sound of this!

http://www.rangers.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=1783

Alex McLeish is still in the Ibrox hotseat yet everyone from journalists to punters on internet forums are speculating on who will be his replacement.

Bookies have stopped taking bets on ex Lyon manager Paul Le Guen but I'm afraid the punters are barking up the wrong tree because his agent has today ruled him out of the running and has said that he is happy in his current role as a television pundit.

Newspapers and internet sites alike are all claiming exclusives on the new manager, some claim they have inside information on various managers.

Names linked so far are Alan Curbishley, Sam Allardyce, George Burley, Graeme Souness, Terry Butcher, Brian Laudrup, Michael Laudrup, Richard Gough, Walter Smith, Ottmar Hitzfeld, Didier Deschamps and Claudio Ranieri.

As mentioned, Paul Le Guen has already ruled himself out. Brian Laudrup has also ruled himself out and also doubts if Michael would leave Brondby. Walter Smith would be unlikely to leave Scotland so soon, Richard Gough is too inexperienced and Ottmar Hitzfeld has also been ruled out.

So that would appear to leave Alan Curbishley, Sam Allardyce, George Burley, Graeme Souness, Terry Butcher and Claudio Ranieri on the shortlist.

Curbishley has to be the favourite at the moment, however he has a very complex contract and it will take a lot to get him from Charlton.

The most likely outwith Curbishley would probably be George Burley who is free right now after leaving Hearts a few weeks ago.

[Thai Bairn]

May I be the first to echo the opinion of the majority of non Rangers supporters in Scotland by saying 'McLeish Must Stay!!'

[lamphun]

May I be the first to echo the opinion of the majority of non Rangers supporters in Scotland by saying 'McLeish Must Stay!!'

McLeish is doing a great job at Rangers. I reckon he should be made manager of the year or whatever. However Graham Souness could do them lot more damage.

Edited November 15, 2005 by lamphun

[Jockstar]

Looks like hes been given a bit longer. This from the Daily Record......

WHY I GAVE ECK A LAST CHANCE

His record has earned it says Murray

By Keith Jackson

DAVID MURRAY last night handed Alex McLeish a further two weeks to save himself from the sack - then insisted his under-fire manager has earned it.

Rangers chairman Murray met the club's beleaguered boss for showdown talks at his company's HQ in Edinburgh yesterday afternoon when it was decided to grant McLeish one final reprieve.

The peace talks came despite Murray's failed attempts to land McLeish's replacement and the compromise decision was announced at teatime - hours after Record Sport revealed McLeish would not be fired ahead of this weekend's crunch SPL showdown with Celtic.

Now McLeish knows his future rests on the outcome of Saturday's derby at Parkhead as well as next week's Champions League clash with Porto.

A Group H win in Portugal could yet see McLeish become the first manager to lead a Scottish club into the knockout stage of UEFA's top event.

But McLeish knows also that back-to-back defeats in the space of four days will finish him off for good - after managing to win just two of his last 11 matches.

In fact, McLeish will also realise Murray has already launched the hunt for his successor and that, if the chairman's efforts had been more successful, then he would already be out of a job. But even so, it does now seem as if a string of victories - McLeish must also take his side to face Hibs before November is out - will allow him to hang on to his position.

Murray said: "After a return from a short break, Alex, Martin Bain and myself met today in Edinburgh to discuss the club's situation.

"Due to speculation, it was important to clarify the outcome of the meeting.

"Although we fully recognise we are going through a difficult period, we collectively felt the manager should be given the opportunity to improve our overall performance, given the success of his career thus far.

"We will review progress at the beginning of December."

[bluebear]

It will NOT be Fergie, one must remember he was chased out of Rangers because he married a catholic, and if you read his autobiography you get the distinct impression that he has never forgiven them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh dear, this old myth.

He would like people to think that was the reason. He was transferred because he was no more than an average player and about number 4 in the pecking order of strikers.

Or this version from wikipedia

"In 1967, he joined Rangers for £65,000, then a record fee for a transfer between two Scottish clubs. He was blamed for a goal that they conceded in the 1969 Scottish cup final[2], and was forced to play for the club's junior side instead of the first team[3]. According to his brother, Ferguson was so upset by the experience that he threw his losers' medal away.[4]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Ferguson#Playing_career

Thats the reason why he doesnt like Rangers

Boring but true. He wasnt good enough.

If he was that good a player I think he would have gone to a better team than Falkirk.

[HarryHacker]

...this is a direct copy from a Charlton Blog which I found quite funny, tounge in cheek.

PLEASE DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER!

"EVERTON are facing a fight to keep manager David Moyes after it emerged last night that Rangers are on the brink of trying to lure him to Glasgow.

The Scottish giants have given Alan Curbishley 48 hours to decide if he wants to quit Charlton and become the next Ibrox boss in a deal worth about £2 million-a-year. He was also promised cash to spend on players.

Rangers chairman David Murray is poised to axe current manager Alex McLeish and would ideally like his replacement in place for the Old Firm clash with Celtic at the weekend. (The Mirror)"

Really, they're having a laugh, aren't they? Anyone who'd jack in the Premiership for either of those Old Firm clubs as a career progression would be insane. In which wibbly-wobbly world is David Murray living in? One where he and his rival club are giants, instead of indebted, small-minded pygmies, condemned to die in the league they've sewn up between them?

Before they start dancing on the Shankill Road (before another celebratory night of petrol bombs and torching the neighbours', all funded on the social), perhaps they should look at somebody more their level. Colin Lee, perhaps? He's had some time to get used to a club where fans are more concerned about the past and who you are than what you play like, and he might have some time on his hands soon...

[Spit the Dog]

"EVERTON are facing a fight to keep manager David Moyes after it emerged last night that Rangers are on the brink of trying to lure him to Glasgow.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am really surprised that Davie Moyes is in the frame for the Ibrox hotseat. I know he was an ex-Celtic player and I always assumed he was a Celtic supporter (I could be wrong though).

As for Alan Curbishly, he appears to be Charlton through and through. He has had 12 or so years to built his team at Charlton and he would be lucky to be given 12 weeks at Rangers to start producing results. It is a big job and I don't think Curbishly is the right man. I like Curbishly as a person and for his sake, I hope he stays at Charlton.

[bluebear]

Didnt have time earlier to properly reply to the actual thread.

Harry. I will shoot the messenger. BANG!

It has always amazed and dismayed me, the reaction and lack of support McLeish has had from the small minority of the support right from his signing.

Among the comments were not rangers class, not one of us, not a top class/glamour manager - that was the most common heard.

Well, bearing in mind the financial ruin Dick Advocaat left us in ( this is the man remember who thought Torre Andre Flo was worth 12M, TWELVE ######ING MILLION QUID! ) 60-70Mil in debt without the benefit of a EPL tv deal meant only one thing. Cost cutting.

And McLeish has made a good stab at it. Could someone have done better? Maybe. Has he made some mistakes? Yes.

But what manager hasnt? Ole Taggart? Just list them. Getting rid of Stam, signing one dodgy goalie after another after Schmeichel, just look at his other signings Djemba-Djemba, Kleberson, Veron, etc etc

Those calling on the likes of Hitzfeld I fear are living in a dream world, wanting to get us back where we belong. Which is exactly where? Apart from one freak run, there has only been 1 scottish team in europe after Xmas in about 10 years.

How much will he cost? God knows, but I bet its more than McLeish. Can the club afford another "glamour" manager? I dont think so. The debts are still large although now manageable but it doesnt leave us with huge transfer budgets. Maybe 5/6M a season plus Bosmans. Not exactly Chelsea level.

I hope he does turn it round, I really really do. It makes me puke to see so called supporters wanting the team they "support" lose just to get rid of a manager.

But, if it does come to it. Who to get?

Moyes? Although supposedly a Rangers man, he played for Celtic. A move that would annoy and not be acceptable to supporters on BOTH sides of the Old Firm. It would be a brave man who would be an ex player and become the manager of the other club.

Curbishly? Dont know. He has the experience of wheeling and dealing and getting the best out of players. So not a bad choice, but would he move to the SPL? Hmm

Sam Allardyce? As above

Butcher / Gough / McCoist? Too inexperienced.

George Burley? Too many rumours about him,

Graeme Souness, HE walked out on Rangers to go to Liverpool and would never be accepted back by the main body of supporters. Anyway, the SFA would have a field day with him.

Walter Smith. He was effectively sacked and nah. He just got the scotland job.

The other foreign mob?

Brian Laudrup, Michael Laudrup. Already ruled themselves out

Didier Deschamps. Nah

Claudio Ranieri. The Tinker Man? We dont have enough players for him. Or the cash

I dont see any current scottish managers moving to take the job.

Whoever it will be it will be someone that we will all go, of course its the obvious choice - afterwards.