Giovanni van Bronckhorst has revealed he faced “unique challenges and some very difficult circumstances to operate in” which led to his Rangers exit.
Van Bronckhorst was sacked by the Scottish Premiership club last week after one year in charge at Ibrox, with the Gers nine points behind leaders Celtic.
The 47-year-old also oversaw a sobering Champions League campaign as the club lost all six group-stage matches, including a 7-1 hammering by Liverpool at home.
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Van Bronckhorst – who signed a three-and-a-half-year deal to replace Steven Gerrard last November – has become one of the shortest-serving permanent managers in the club’s history, although he says there were issues behind the scenes this season.
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Take a look back at some of Van Bronckhorst’s highs and lows from his time in charge at Rangers
“This season, like every year at Rangers, the first priority is domestic success,” he said in a statement on his Instagram.
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- Van Bronckhorst: ‘Difficult circumstances to operate in’ led to Rangers exit
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“I understand the hurt when wins become draws, and worse, when we experience defeat. That isn’t acceptable at a club of Rangers’ standing, no one understood that and felt that more than I did. I faced unique challenges and some very difficult circumstances to operate in.
“Rangers FC will always be in my heart and I wish the club all the success for the future. Once a Ranger, always a Ranger.”
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Van Bronkhorst continued: “The opportunity to manage an institution like Rangers FC is a privilege which very few are afforded. As a former player, I understood the responsibility and magnitude of the task.
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Kris Boyd says the sacking of Van Bronckhorst comes as no surprise as after Rangers’ poor recent form
“My backroom team and I worked with energy, passion and were driven with a belief that we could achieve amazing things. We treated our roles with respect, optimism and determination.
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“We experienced some incredible highs, especially on our European journey to Seville. Winning the Scottish Cup for the first time in over a decade and qualifying for the group stage of the Champions League is something I am very proud of.
What went wrong for Van Bronckhorst at Rangers?
Read the feature in full.
“The passion of our support drove us on to achieve those wonderful memories. For that, I am forever grateful to every single one of you who travelled near and far, spent your hard-earned money, and never gave up supporting our team.”
The Scottish Premiership is now on hold for the World Cup, with Rangers’ next game against Hibernian at Ibrox on December 15, live on Sky Sports.
Rangers in talks with QPR boss Beale
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Former Rangers and QPR boss Mark Warburton discusses the Ibrox club’s managerial hunt with Mick Beale in the frame
Rangers are in talks with QPR head coach Mick Beale over the vacant managerial role at Ibrox, after being granted permission to open negotiations from the Loftus Road club.
Sky Sports News understands Beale is keen on the prospect of becoming Rangers’ 18th permanent manager and has maintained good relations with Rangers since his departure as coach last November.
The 42-year-old was a part of Gerrard’s backroom team that won the club’s 55th top-flight title in 2021 before leaving for Aston Villa.
Beale then made his move to become boss at QPR in the summer and turned down an approach from Wolves last month, citing “integrity and loyalty” as the reason for rejecting the Premier League job.
Sky Sports News can reveal Beale and his staff were in contract extension talks with QPR before Rangers’ interest developed.
‘It’s the right time for Rangers and Beale’
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Graham Dorrans – who was at Rangers during Beale’s time as coach – believes the Englishman is the right person to take charge at Ibrox
Graham Dorrans – who was at Rangers during Beale’s time as coach – believes the Englishman is the right person to take charge at Ibrox.
He told Sky Sports News: “Without being disrespectful to Steve Gerrard, Beale was the one on the pitch every day taking all the sessions. Gerrard was the manager of the club but Beale was just as important as him.
“I was injured for a huge part of the time he was there but watching from the side of the pitch, Beale’s tactical knowledge was second to none. He analysed the opposition and transferred that into the sessions.
“I’ve got no qualms that he can step up to be a manager and make the big decisions Steven Gerrard was making. I don’t think it will be much of a change to take that step.
“I think it’s the right time for Rangers and him to come back here and take the job. He’s got the experience of working with these players before. He got the best out of Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos, James Tavernier. He knows the players.”
Rangers’ next five fixtures
December 15: Hibernian (h), Scottish Premiership, kick off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
December 20: Aberdeen (a), Scottish Premiership, kick off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
December 23: Ross County (a), Scottish Premiership, kick off 7.30pm, live on Sky Sports
December 28: Motherwell (h), Scottish Premiership, kick off 7.45pm
January 2: Celtic (h), Scottish Premiership, kick off 12.30pm, live on Sky Sports
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