Rangers next manager: Kevin Muscat update as two problems emerge
Rangers’ search for a new manager remains ongoing almost two weeks after Russell Martin was dismissed after an awful start to the season.
Football Insider first revealed on 6 October that Rangers had a four-man shortlist to replace Martin which consisted of Steven Gerrard, Sean Dyche, Danny Rohl and Kevin Muscat.
Dyche was the first to remove himself from contention, while Gerrard held positive talks at Ibrox before dropping out of the race, and Rohl became the latest to withdraw.
Other options were considered outside of their original shortlist as the board cast a wide net, but they now appear to be closing in on a firm contender.
Football Insider revealed on 16 October that Rangers are advancing in talks to appoint Muscat, with the path having cleared for his appointment.
Two issues emerge as Rangers weigh up Kevin Muscat call
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 13 October that Rangers want to appoint their next manager quickly and will ideally have an agreement before the end of the week.
However, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, complications could delay Muscat’s appointment with any deal to bring him to Ibrox far from straightforward with little clarity on their position.
Muscat’s Shanghai Port side are currently in a title race and sit top of the league with four games to go, meaning they are reluctant to see him leave now, while Rangers could have to pay a compensation fee to release him from his contract.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “I would say Muscat is the number one contender for the Rangers job right now.
“Look, there’s no getting away from it. It’s been a frustrating search for a new manager for Rangers.
“The problem with Muscat right now is that he’s in the ends of a title race over in China with his club, Shanghai, and they don’t really want to lose him with the team trying to win the title with four games left in the season.
“Rangers might have to pay as well to get him out of his contract at Shanghai, and it doesn’t look like they’ll be willing to let Muscat leave while they’re still contesting this title.
“So Rangers might have to wait a few more weeks if they are to appoint Kevin Muscat. And where does that leave everybody else?
“So it’s, not straightforward, any potential deal, but it does seem Muscat is now the number one target and they’ll be hoping they can get a deal on for him over the line.”
Muscat has been tipped to get the best out of Rangers’ best players, with Nicolas Raskin a priority at Ibrox after he admitted he wants to be backed by his manager.
Slaven Bilic tipped for Rangers interim role
Given the concerns about Muscat’s availability and when he will be able to take over, Rangers could appoint an interim manager to fill in over the next few weeks.
Former Aberdeen CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider on 15 October that Slaven Bilic could take charge at Rangers temporarily until Muscat can step in.
The former West Ham boss has been out of work since leaving Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Fateh in August 2024, but has been backed to get the best out of this Rangers squad.
Football Insider revealed on 12 October that Bilic was in the running to become Rangers’ manager on a permanent basis but has now fallen behind Muscat in the running.
It is unclear whether he would accept a short-term role as he aims to return to top-level management, having also been a contender for the West Ham job last month.
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