Rangers make early move for Davide Anceletti, but with other options on the table, the race is wide open

Rangers have reportedly approached Davide Ancelotti to become their next manager, but the Scottish Premiership side is still in the early stages of their search and has not yet identified a front-runner for the job.

The 35-year-old, currently an assistant coach at Real Madrid, is the son of Carlo Ancelotti, who will soon depart the Bernabeu to take over as Brazil’s national team head coach. Davide has previously worked alongside his father at Bayern Munich, Napoli, and Everton, earning significant coaching experience under one of the most successful managers in the world.

Spanish outlet Marca revealed on Monday that 49ers Enterprises, the group negotiating to take control of Rangers, has expressed interest in bringing Davide to Ibrox. However, the Italian coach is reportedly considering other offers, with Como, an Italian club, also a potential destination for him.

Rangers have neither confirmed nor denied the reports, and sources close to the club have indicated that discussions are still ongoing with a number of managerial candidates. This suggests that any assumptions about a leading contender for the role are premature.

Carlo Ancelotti, 65, will leave Real Madrid at the end of the month, but his son’s immediate future remains uncertain. Davide will join his father’s coaching staff with the Brazilian national team in June, and only after this period will he decide whether to take up a managerial role elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Rangers’ interim manager Barry Ferguson, who has overseen the club’s last 13 games following Philippe Clement’s sacking in February, is awaiting clarity on his own future. Ferguson has expressed confidence in his ability to succeed in the role, stating he could bring success to Rangers if given a permanent contract.

Ferguson, 45, will manage Rangers’ final home game against Dundee United on Wednesday before their season concludes at Hibernian on Saturday. Despite acknowledging the challenges of the interim period, including inconsistent results, Ferguson believes he could achieve more with the right support from the club.

“I knew when I took the job that I could make a difference,” Ferguson said. “If you give me the tools to go and do that, I know I’d be a success. If somebody else gets it, I’ll still support them, but I’d be disappointed.”

As Rangers prepare for the upcoming season, Ferguson remains hopeful that decisions regarding their managerial future will be made soon, particularly with important pre-season planning and contract decisions looming. Regardless of who takes over, Ferguson is clear about his desire to bring stability and success back to the club.