‘Barry Ferguson may not make it to the end of the season at Rangers’
Barry Ferguson took charge of his first game as interim boss of Rangers on Wednesday (26 February) – a 4-2 comeback win over Kilmarnock.
Philippe Clement‘s temporary replacement got off to a bad start with Killie racing into a two-goal lead inside 15 minutes, but the Gers hit back with four unanswered strikes.
Ferguson, 47, played 409 times for Rangers with his coaches Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor also turning out for the Glasgow giants.
He has spoken of his desire to be “judged at the end of the season” when asked if he wants to take the role full-time.
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested Ferguson may not make it that far in the Ibrox dugout.
‘No guarantee’ Ferguson stays at Rangers until May, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted there is “no guarantee” Ferguson will make it until the last day of the season in mid-May.
The Scot resigned from his last managerial role at Alloa Athletic just over three years ago.
| Games | 184 |
| Wins | 67 |
| Draws | 33 |
| Losses | 84 |
| Win Percentage | 36.4% |
Wyness insisted Ibrox chiefs would have rather kept Clement until the end of the season but buckled to fan pressure and relieved him of his duties.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “We’d been talking about Clement for a while.
“They had the Queen’s Park result, followed by St Mirren – where stands were empty at Ibrox with 15 minutes left.
“I knew the situation had become serious. Clement had done a great job, and would have done well in Europe this season – but it just went too far.
“I’m convinced the club would have rather he hang on and make the change later on.
“What they’ve done is bring in Barry Ferguson, who is Rangers through and through.
“He’s not had a great managerial career. He’s been the manager of Alloa, so it doesn’t promise a lot.
“It’s a safe pick because the fans adore him. Often what is important for Rangers is that they pick their own – but he will have to stabilise the ship.
“At least they will buy some time before the full-time appointment.
“There’s no guarantee Ferguson will be there until the end of the season. I think if you do bring in a new manager, the more time you give him – the better.
“If Ferguson does have a poor run of results, we may see that trigger pulled quicker than we imagine.”
Sean Dyche backed to succeed Clement at Rangers
Wyness has previously told Football Insider (21 February) that Sean Dyche would be the perfect replacement for Clement at Rangers.
He claimed Dyche’s style would suit the Gers as they “don’t have the greatest array of talent in their squad”.
The Englishman was sacked at Everton last month after leading them to Premier League safety in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns.
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