Alious
The search for Rangers’ next manager continues to dominate headlines as the club prepares for the 2025/26 season amid a likely takeover by 49ers Enterprises.
With interim boss Barry Ferguson unlikely to stay on due to poor recent results, speculation is intensifying over who will take the helm at Ibrox.
A standout name to recently emerge is Davide Ancelotti — assistant coach at Real Madrid and son of legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti.
The 35-year-old has been a key figure in some of Europe’s most successful teams, shadowing his father during triumphant spells at clubs like Bayern Munich, Napoli, and Real Madrid, where they lifted multiple trophies, including the Champions League.
However, not everyone is convinced that Ancelotti is the right fit for Rangers. Speaking on *talkSPORT* (14 May), outspoken pundit Simon Jordan launched a scathing critique of the potential appointment.
Jordan went as far as comparing Ancelotti’s lack of managerial experience to that of Wayne Rooney, whose brief and unsuccessful stint at Plymouth Argyle ended in disappointment.
Jordan argued that Rangers, a club under immense pressure and transition, cannot afford to gamble on an untested name simply riding on pedigree.
He claimed that hiring someone whose credentials are largely tied to their family legacy is a major risk — especially during such a pivotal time in the club’s evolution.
According to Jordan, Rangers need a proven leader who can go toe-to-toe with top opposition managers and command authority at a club with sky-high expectations.
But critics have been quick to push back on Jordan’s analogy. Comparing Davide Ancelotti to Rooney is seen by many as unfair and inaccurate.
Unlike Rooney, whose managerial record is already dotted with underachievement at Derby, D.C. United, and Plymouth, Ancelotti has been deeply involved in elite-level coaching structures for nearly a decade.
He has contributed to the inner workings of some of football’s most successful teams — experience that cannot be dismissed lightly.
Supporters of Ancelotti’s candidacy argue that he represents a calculated risk rather than a reckless gamble.
While it’s true he has yet to manage a team on his own, his immersion in top-tier football, tactical acumen, and firsthand exposure to high-pressure environments arguably set him apart from other first-time managers.
The debate reflects the broader challenge facing Rangers: striking the right balance between ambition and caution as they navigate ownership changes and seek to reclaim domestic dominance.
Whether Ancelotti is the man to lead that charge remains to be seen, but dismissing him outright — especially with flawed comparisons — may overlook the genuine potential he brings to the table.
Alious
