‘Barry Ferguson to refuse Rangers assistant role under Jose Mourinho’
Barry Ferguson would reject the opportunity to become assistant manager to Jose Mourinho at Rangers, according to Andy Halliday.
The former midfielder and ex-Gers captain replaced Philippe Clement midway through the season on a short-term basis.
Whilst Ferguson has been a more popular figure than the Belgian was at Ibrox, results continue to underwhelm, at least domestically.
Rangers did knock Mourinho’s Fenerbahce out of the Europa League, but followed that up with a 2-0 loss to Athletic Club on aggregate, albeit amid penalty controversy, ending any hopes of claiming a trophy in what has been another disappointing season for the Bears.
Prior to the Turkish club’s meeting with the Gers in March, the former Chelsea manager said he would be open to managing in Scotland in the future.
This sparked debate that Mourinho would join Rangers in the summer, but any suggestions that Ferguson might stay on as an assistant to the Portuguese manager were quickly shut down on the Open Goal podcast.
Barry Ferguson would not want to be ex-Chelsea manager’s second-in-command
With ex-Celtic striker Tony Watt joining Andy Halliday, Paul Slane and Simon Ferry on the podcast, Watt was asked if Ferguson still had a chance of being named the permanent Rangers manager after the loss to Athletic, the 31-year-old responded (22 April, 1:36): “No I think it just depends on, I’ve seen Tavernier endorsing him, I think it depends if he wants it, do you think he’ll want it?”
The room responds with a unanimous agreement that Ferguson will hope to remain with Rangers past the end of the current capaign.
Watt then mused that the former midfielder was dealing with a difficult set of circumstances, before saying: “I think it’s a hard one, if [Steven] Gerrard pops up, or Mourinho.”
Ex-Celtic man Slane then added: “You’d take Mourinho in a minute aye.” Watt then asked: “Would Ferguson take an assistant gig with Mourinho?”
Motherwell’s former Rangers defender Andy Halliday responds by saying there is “no chance” that Ferguson would take a job as an assistant, adding the likelihood is that Mourinho would bring his own staff.
Barry Ferguson a ripped shirt away from full-time Rangers post
Football Insider Verdict
Football can be a cruel sport, and following the loss to Athletic in the Europa League, many will have felt for Ferguson.
Cyriel Dessers looked to have earned Rangers a penalty, which would have given them a chance to take a 1-0 lead in Spain, but referee Irfan Peljto was not convinced by the gaping hole in the Nigerian striker’s shirt.
Whilst the general sentiment now is that Ferguson was desperately unfortunate, how his side lost will not be taken into account when he is assessed for the full-time post at Ibrox this summer; the only thing that will matter is the fact that his side failed to win.
Had Rangers made it further, the former midfielder would have a great case to make, but instead it now seems more likely that one of the more established names, like potentially Mourinho, or Gerrard will take precedence.