Rangers next manager odds: Davide Ancelotti tipped for Ibrox hot-seat

Rangers have been without a permanent manager since the sacking of Philippe Clement in February.

Former club captain Barry Ferguson has led the side on an interim basis in the aftermath of Clement’s departure – but the 47-year-old failed to mount a tangible title charge during the final quarter of the 2024/25 campaign.

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With Ferguson expected to exit his role as head coach at the end of the season, many tipped Steven Gerrard to fill the role for a second time. 

However, it has now become clear that Gerrard is no longer the favourite to lead Rangers this time around. 

Davide Ancelotti, son of five-time Champions League winner Carlo Ancelotti, is the current front-runner for the post. Having served as assistant to his father at Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton and Real Madrid, few 35-year-old coaches boast such profound experience at an elite level. 

News of Davide’s potential move to Rangers follows the announcement of Carlo Ancelotti as Brazil’s new manager. According to reports, Davide Ancelotti is eager to challenge himself as a leader in his own right – and bet365’s current odds (1/2) have put the young coach at the forefront of the rumour mill.

Adding fuel to the fire is that incoming Rangers sporting director Kevin Thelwell has previously worked alongside Davide at Everton. Thelwell will join the Scottish outfit when his Toffees contract expires this summer and has already lauded the “ambitious” nature of the club.

Spanish media outlets claim that Rangers have already initiated talks with Davide. It has been suggested that he will assist his father during Carlo’s first two games with Brazil before beginning his solo managerial venture.

No deal is agreed as of yet - and sources close to Rangers have this morning reaffirmed the club’s intention to discuss the position with a list of candidates. 

Yet, Davide Ancelotti’s apparent desire to enter management has seen Steven Gerrard’s odds plummet from 1/2 to 5/1 at bet365. 

In light of this fresh set of circumstances, alternative managerial candidates have also seen their odds change. 

Former RB Leipzig head coach, Marco Rose, was listed at 3/1 to join Rangers by bet365 earlier this month. The bookmaker has accounted for this week’s reports - as well as his 2024/25 failures with the German club - by dropping his odds to 12/1.

Sean Dyche is another candidate who was purported as a strong choice for the Gers position, proven by bet365’s 12/1 price at the start of May. As was the case with Gerrard and Rose, the 53-year-old’s odds have shrunk to 33/1.

Interestingly, Russell Martin - formerly of MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton - has jumped from 16/1 to 6/1 to sign with Rangers since 1 May. The 39-year-old Scotsman was sacked by the Saints in the lead-up to Christmas last year but could return to the club in a managerial capacity, having briefly played for Rangers in 2018.

The next few weeks will prove pivotal in the search for a new Rangers gaffer – with bet365 expected to refresh its odds as the story unfolds.