The search for the next Rangers manager appears to be approaching an end
13:15, 24 May 2025Updated 13:15, 24 May 2025
Davide Ancelotti is a name in frame for Rangers
Davide Ancelotti is a name in frame for Rangers
Davide Ancelotti has made it clear what his top priority will be at Rangers with the Real Madrid coach closing in on the Ibrox hot seat.
Reports in Spain suggest that Ancelotti is “close to committing” to the Scottish Premiership side as he prepares to bow out of the Bernabeu with dad Carlo following the final game of the La Liga season against Real Sociedad.
Steven Gerrard, Russell Martin and Marco Rose have been among the candidates - but it appears the former Bayern Munich, Napoli and Everton coach has been chosen to lead the new era with the 49ers Enterprises-backed takeover nearing.
And in the last major interview he gave, Ancelotti revealed that his focus when he arrives at clubs is to asses the current crop of talent in the dressing room.
He said: "When you arrive somewhere, the priority is to study the players you have. In fact, it's a craft, a manual trade. You have to have ideas, but adjust and adjust again. It's like shaping a bonsai tree.
"If the first question a club asks me is about the system I'm going to use, then it's not the right question.
Article continues below
"You have to start with the players! That's the most important thing my father taught me.
"What I've learned is that you have to find a balance every week. We started with a diamond formation last season for example and then we saw that we were conceding a lot of crosses, so we adjusted.
Carlo Ancelotti and son Davide
"We've been changing players regularly for three years (at Real Madrid). That's why coaching is great - you can search, and then find."
And while he may want a good look at the Rangers squad reports suggest he could wait until at least June 11.
Ancelotti Jr is join his dad with the Brazil national side for two games against Ecuador and Paraguay - with the second taking place in the of morning on June 11 at 1.45am UK time.
The Rangers players are expected to report back for pre-season on June 23 with the club entering the Champions League at the second round stage just a month later - with the first leg scheduled for July 22/23.
Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.
You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.
Article continues below
We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.