Rangers to take ‘very different route’ from Ferguson amid Mourinho, Gerrard links
Rangers’s new sporting director Kevin Thelwell will “go down a very different route” with his choice of a new boss at Ibrox, according to Kris Boyd.
The Bears are set for a summer of upheaval with a new manager, and new management.
Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises’ prospective takeover could be completed in the next few weeks, and look set to acquire the necessary 51% of shares to take control of the Ibrox boardroom.
Whilst there is clarity emerging on the ownership at Ibrox, the choice of manager remains up in the air with plenty of names, such as Sean Dyche, Russell Martin, Jose Mourinho, and Steven Gerrard all linked with the Rangers job.
Thelwell was only confirmed as the Bears’ new sporting director [Rangers] on Wednesday (23 April), but Boyd wrote in his column for The Sun he thinks the former Everton man will go against the incumbent with his choice of new manager.
Kevin Thelwell unlikely to give Barry Ferguson permanent Rangers job
Former Rangers star striker Boyd revealed he thought it was unlikely Thelwell would choose Barry Ferguson as the Bears’ permanent manager this summer.
The ex-Scotland international wrote: “My gut feeling is that Rangers will go down a very different route and appoint someone else.
“Steven Gerrard’s name never seems to go away, along with Jose Mourinho.
“I wouldn’t rule anyone out but whoever gets it will operate as more of a head coach than manager.”
Jose Mourinho the dream appointment for Scottish football
Football Insider Verdict
When a new owner, or ownership group in this case, comes in they usually love the idea of making their mark on the club.
Rationality tends to prevail in the following years, but from the off, the desire to go out and get the biggest name you can really does appeal.
Mourinho is not the manager he once was, since his first season with Roma in 2021 the Portuguese coach has failed to produce winning teams.
| 2024/25 Premiership stats | League rank | Rangers |
| Goals per match | 2nd | 2.1 |
| Goals conceded per match | 2nd | 1.1 |
| Expected goals | 2nd | 66.0 xG |
| Clean sheets | 2nd | 13 |
| Red cards | 6th | 3 |
However, the ex-Chelsea legend is an icon in world football and exactly the sort of coach who will instil life into an ailing side.
Mourinho to Rangers makes sense, given both are fallen giants, looking for a redemption arc. The Portuguese manager isn’t the most sensible hire, but he is the most fun choice.