Exclusive: Rangers to snub Jimmy Thelin and appoint ‘big name’
Aberdeen’s inconsistency under Jimmy Thelin this season will likely rule him out of the running to become Rangers’ next manager, sources have told Football Insider.
Thelin was linked with jobs aplenty in the early stages of Aberdeen’s season as they began the campaign in some style; winning their first 13 games in all competitions and remaining unbeaten until November.
Former Dons CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider back in October that Thelin competing with Celtic and Rangers for the title would be “huge” for Scottish football, but that situation never came to pass.
Since November, Aberdeen’s form has been sticky at best and seen them fall to fifth in the Premiership table, with sources telling Football Insider that Rangers opting to appoint the Swede would be “very surprising” as a result.
Rangers ready to make ‘big name’ appointment
Football Insider revealed last month that Rangers’ incoming owners 49ers Enterprises are waiting until the end of the season to make a new manager announcement, but an ambitious appointment is likely.
Sources have told Football Insider that the 49ers will be looking much further afield than Aberdeen’s Thelin, with a “bigger name” than the 47-year-old set to come in and take a new-look Rangers forward.
Thelin’s Aberdeen side beat Rangers 2-1 during their unbeaten run at the start of the campaign, but have since lost 3-0 at Ibrox and most recently drew 2-2 against Ferguson’s much-changed Bears on Sunday.
Barry Ferguson battling lofty contenders for Rangers role
Current interim boss Barry Ferguson remains in contention to be appointed permanently at Ibrox, with Football Insider revealing that his best chance of doing so is to win the Europa League with Rangers.
However, with another Ibrox legend – 2021 Premiership title winner Steven Gerrard – linked with a return in the summer, it remains to be seen how high the 49ers will set their ambitions in their first appointment.
Football Insider also revealed earlier this month that Rangers have been in the running for Marco Rose’s services, and the recently-sacked RB Leipzig boss displays the level of manager required at Ibrox.