Staff Reporter.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been confirmed as the new Rangers manager, succeeding Steven Gerrard at the club he played for from 1998 and 2001.
Van Bronckhorst has been out of work since leaving his post as head coach of Guangzhou City last December. He managed Feyenoord from 2015 to 2019, winning the Dutch Cup and the club’s first Eredivisie title in 18 years.
Van Bronckhorst, whose last job in management was a year with Guangzhou R&F in China, said he was “absolutely delighted” to become Rangers’ 17th permanent manager.
He won 106 caps during a highly successful playing career which included spells at Arsenal and Barcelona, met Rangers officials in Amsterdam this week after initial talks in London. The club said the deal was subject to a work permit.
“I feel so lucky to be going to work with a squad which is in a great position on all fronts and largely has that experience of being winners,” he said.
“I look forward to carrying on and enhancing the work that has been done already and I’m grateful for the chance to work again at this huge football club.
“I cannot wait to meet the club’s incredible supporters again and begin this new era for us all.”
It remains unclear whether the Dutchman will be in charge for Sunday’s Scottish League Cup semi-final with Hibernian, with the visa process still ongoing.
Meanwhile Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard says it is “very unfair” to call the club a stepping stone towards his dream of one day becoming Liverpool manager.
Gerrard left Scottish side Rangers to take over at the Midlands club after they sacked Dean Smith.
The 41-year-old has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Villa.
“I’m all-in and I will give this job everything that it needs for it to be a success. I’ll be 100% committed and so will my staff,” said Gerrard.
“[It’s] very unfair and you’ll never hear me saying it’s a stepping stone. For me, I’m really honoured and proud to be in this position.”
Former England captain Gerrard played 710 games and scored 186 goals for Liverpool during a 17-year career at Anfield, winning eight major trophies, including the Champions League in 2005.