Next Rangers manager – odds: Gerrard tipped for shock return as Van Bronckhorst ODDS-ON to quit Ibrox in 2023
STEVEN GERRARD is the current favourite to make a sensational Ibrox return and replace under-fire Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
The Rangers boss is under pressure having fallen four points behind Celtic in the title race and a disastrous European campaign that saw them become ‘WORST EVER’ Champions League side.
Betfair: Get £30 in free bets!*
Gers have been booed off the park in three of their last four homes games, with a strong win over Aberdeen in between the only positive performance.
Defeats to Napoli and Ajax as well as a draw at home to Livingston look like cranking the pressure up considerably on the Dutchman.
But he is expected to see out the remaining few weeks of 2022 as he is 4/1 to leave before the year is out.
However he is ODDS-ON with Betfair to be out of a job at Ibrox in 2023, with 9/4 odds for him staying until 2024 or later.
And former boss Gerrard is the 2/1 favourite with Betfair to make a return to the Gers dugout.
Gerrard was replaced by Unai Emery at Aston Villa after a poor start to the season, with Villa since beating Brentford 4-0 and losing 4-0 at Newcastle.
He was a fan favourite in Govan having delivered title number 55 which ended Celtic’s 10 in a row bid at the final hurdle.
But that relationship turned sour when links to the Premier League arrived as he batted away questions on the Newcastle job.
Betfair: Get £30 in free bets!*
FOOTBALL OFFERS
Weeks later, he quite Ibrox for Villa and took his staff with him.
That staff included Michael Beale who has had an excellent start to management life at QPR – where they sit fourth in the Championship with a game in-hand – having quit Villa to take on his first job as the main man.
He was recently a target for Premier League side Wolves for their manager’s vacancy.
He’s the name many Gers supporters would like to see return and is second favourite at 4/1 to do so.
Gary McAllister was Gerrard’s assistant at Ibrox and then at Villa Park before also being shown the door last week.
Next Rangers manager
Betfair odds
- Steven Gerrard – 2/1
- Michael Beale – 4/1
- Sean Dyche – 8/1
- Gary McAllister – 10/1
- Kjetil Knutsen – 12/1
- Michael O’Neill – 14/1
- Chris Wilder – 16/1
- Neil Lennon – 33/1
Might he want to go it alone? He’s a 10/1 shot to replace Van Bronckhorst.
That’s just behind Sean Dyche in the betting, with the former Burnley boss still waiting to get his next role in the game.
Dyche has been linked with several Premier League and Championship jobs since leaving Turf Moor during the season last year.
He might not be the answer to some of the Rangers faithful but is third favourite at 8/1.
Kjetil Knutsen is 12/1 with Betfair having also been linked with several of the same jobs as Dyche.
Year Van Bronckhorst leaves Rangers
Betfair odds
- 2022: 4/1
- 2023: 4/7
- 2024 or later: 9/4
He’s highly regarded for his work at Bodo/Glimt and has been single-figure prices for many of the Premier League vacancies that have emerged so far this season.
Ex-Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill is 14/1 as he too plots his way back into management having left Stoke City earlier this season.
He is the Irish FA’s number one choice to return as international manager, though.
Chris Wilder is 16/1 having left Middlesbrough.
Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: “Rangers officially became the Champions League’s worst ever team after Tuesday’s defeat to Ajax, having lost all six group stage games with a -20 goal difference.
“It has heaped the pressure on manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who is odds-on at 4/7 to leave next year and 4/1 to go in the next two months.
“Van Bronckhorst’s predecessor, Steven Gerrard, is the 2/1 favourite to return to the Ibrox dugout, with Michael Beale 4/1 and Sean Dyche 8/1 to be the next Rangers boss.”
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
*Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org