Why Ranieri sacking could be bad news for Rangers
COMMENT By Matt Farr
The footballing world was rocked on Tuesday night as Leicester announced that they had parted ways with manager Claudio Ranieri.
The 65-year-old was sacked by the club just nine months after leading them to the Premier League title, in what was a shocking turn of events.
However, with a host of high-profile names already linked to the vacant managerial position at the King Power Stadium, there could be a negative knock-on effect for one club in particular – Rangers.
The Scottish giants are also in the hunt for a new manager, after Mark Warburton was controversially dismissed from his post earlier this month.
Yet while the two clubs have seemingly set their sights on different targets, Rangers may find themselves losing out.
Both Leicester and Rangers are massive clubs, and any new manager must be up to the task of not only managing the expectations of the board and the fans, but also handling the natural rigours that come with such a high-profile position.
That is why many managers would jump at the chance to lead them, and make their own statement in the club’s history.
However, given recent events, that perhaps could be said more for Leicester than Rangers. Warburton was dismissed in such controversial circumstances, and with the ongoing criticism of the board, any manager who takes the helm at Ibrox will be entering a hostile environment.
As it stands, Rangers are not short of options. The likes of Frank de Boer, Alex McLeish, Billy Davies and Martin Jol have all been linked with the vacant position; but now that a job in the Premier League has come available, some heads might be turned.
The Premier League is viewed as one of the greatest tests for any manager these days, and with some of the names currently operating in the division, grants them the opportunity to test themselves against the best.
At Leicester, the immediate concern will be to turn their miserable form around. The Foxes are just one point above the relegation zone with 13 games remaining, while their hopes of progression in the Champions League are on the brink with their first-leg defeat to Sevilla.
Meanwhile, at Rangers, there is a huge rebuilding process to be done. The gulf in quality between them and rivals Celtic has been made even more emphatic this season, with the Ibrox outfit now an incredible 30 points adrift in the Scottish Premiership.
However, the prospect of saving Leicester from relegation, whilst extending their stay in the Champions League could be a greater attraction to some managers than the Rangers job – and could do wonders for their reputations.
Of course, there is the strong possibility that Leicester could get relegated from the top-flight, and be out of Europe next month, which could leave them back out on the scrap heap.
But no manager would take the job thinking they couldn’t pull it off.
On the other hand, as witnessed with Warburton, the current infection that has gone viral at Rangers, could threaten to ruin a reputation.
Nevertheless, the need for the ‘perfect’ candidate is imperative for both clubs. At the moment there is no risk of a clash of interests, but there could come a time when Leicester and Rangers both have their eye on the same prize.
Unfortunately, if that becomes the case, it is the Foxes that could come out on top.
In other Rangers news, the odds have been slashed on this proven Premier League boss taking the hotseat at Ibrox.
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