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Dream upgrade on Ferguson: 49ers could hire "one of the best coaches ever" at Rangers - opinion

With at least ten games to go this season, potentially more, there's still plenty for Rangers to play for.

Prior to the international break, supporters certainly had a good week, didn't they?

raskin-rangers-celtic

First, the Gers dumped out Fenerbahçe on penalties in the Europa League round of 16, before goals from Nicolas Raskin, Mohamed Diomandé and then Hamza Igamane, the latter coming right at the death, saw them beat fierce rivals Celtic 3-2 in an Old Firm derby at Parkhead.

Despite this victory, the 13-point gap at the top of the Premiership means Rangers are not going to reclaim the title, but they still have European aspirations, and their interim manager will be looking to stake a claim to land the job more permanently.

How Barry Ferguson could become Rangers' permanent manager

Last month, following a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of St Mirren, Philippe Clement was sacked as Rangers manager after 86 matches in charge.

philippe-clement-rangers-scottish-premiership

The following day, club-legend Barry Ferguson, who made 412 appearances for Rangers as a player, was appointed interim head coach until the end of the season, assisted by fellow ex-players Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor.

As noted by Graham Ruthven of Total Soccer Show, many questioned this appointment, considering Ferguson's, at best, mixed managerial career so far, having previously been in charge of Blackpool, Clyde, Kelty Hearts and Alloa Athletic, winning only nine of 33 matches during an ill-fated spell with the Wasps.

Nevertheless, so far, the rookie manager has exceeded all expectations, notably becoming the first Rangers boss to win their first Glasgow derby at Celtic Park since the legendary Walter Smith back in 1991.

He has also guided them through to the Europa League quarter-finals, thanks largely to a famous 3-1 victory in İstanbul, now set to take on Athletic Club Bilbao for a place in the semis next month.

These victories have led to speculation that Ferguson could land the job permanently, with Paul Gascoigne believing this should be the case, stating "he is Rangers through and through... he’s got the potential to be a great manager".

Barry-Ferguson-Rangers

However, with Paraag Marathe, President of 49ers Enterprises, poised to complete a takeover of Rangers before the summer, Harry Brent of the Daily Record reports the new owners 'are expected to look elsewhere', so could their dream candidate currently be shinning in France?

Rangers' dream new manager

Recent claims have suggested that Liam Rosenior could be one of the leading candidates in the frame to be the next Rangers manager.

The 40-year-old Englishman was appointed as manager of Ligue 1 side Strasbourg last summer, a decision that 'divided the fanbase', but he is now earning rave reviews for his performance in France's Alsace region.

Liam-Rosenior-Hull

Les Bleu et Blanc, who are owned by Chelsea majority shareholder Todd Boehly, are currently seventh in Ligue 1, thereby on course for European qualification, having only featured in UEFA competition once since 2005/06.

Jack Roberts of Breaking the Lines praises Rosenior's 'exceptional ability to work with young players', while he said himself he wants to "dominate possession, press the ball and be intense in the way we play".

Meantime, when he was appointed by previous club Hull City, former Crystal Palace and Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison, speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, described Rosenior as "a top manager", adding he could well be "one of the best coaches ever".

Rangers supporter Findlay Marks of the Scottish Football Show expects the new owners will want to make a 'statement appointment', doubtful Ferguson fits that brief, but does Rosenior?

Let's examine his managerial career so far.

As the table underlines, Rosenior may not yet be the big-name appointment the 49ers are looking for but, as noted by Senior Editor Aidan McCartney, he is 'one of the best young managers' in Europe right now.

Thus, this would certainly be a shrewd hire, representing a clear upgrade on Ferguson.

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