The race is on for the next Rangers manager, with Davide Ancelotti, son of the legendary Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti of AC Milan, Chelsea and Real Madrid fame, leading the odds.
Rangers’ chiefs are reportedly moving closer to a final decision on who will take over at Ibrox, with many expecting an announcement in the coming weeks.
There’s a long list of contenders, but four names stand out as the most likely to succeed former captain Barry Ferguson, who has been head coach since Philippe Clement’s sacking back in February.
| Manager | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Davide Ancelotti | 1/2 | bet365 |
| Steven Gerrard | 5/1 | bet365 |
| Russell Martin | 6/1 | bet365 |
| Marco Rose | 12/1 | bet365 |
But have the bookies got it right? Let’s take a closer look at the candidates and see whether we think those odds offer decent value.
H2: Davide Ancelotti (1/2): A Manager in the Making with a Wealth of Experience at Elite Clubs
He may be untested as the top boss, but the 35-year-old Real Madrid assistant manager boasts an impressive CV, having worked alongside his father at some of Europe’s biggest clubs including Bayern Munich, Everton, AC Milan, and Napoli.
While Davide Ancelotti might seem like a wildcard to some Rangers fans, those close to the game credit him with playing a key role in Real Madrid’s two most recent Champions League triumphs, as well as league and cup wins.
With Carlo Ancelotti set to take over the Brazil job in June, this could be the ideal moment for Davide to step out on his own. Crucially, he’s already known and respected by incoming sporting director Kevin Thelwell from their time together at Everton, and reports suggest he’s the favoured choice among the Rangers hierarchy.
We rate his chances higher than any other name currently in the frame, potentially as much as 75% considering talks have reportedly already begun, which makes the 2/1 odds (66.7% implied probability) from bet365 look like outstanding value.
H2: Steven Gerrard (5/1): Former Rangers Boss Could Slot Straight Back In
Gerrard’s spell as Rangers manager from 2018 to 2021 was nothing short of a triumph. He delivered crucial derby wins over Celtic and an impressive Europa League run. Most memorably, he led Rangers to their historic 2020–2021 Scottish Premiership title victory, going the entire season unbeaten, racking up 102 points and conceding just 13 goals.
So why wouldn’t Rangers want him back?
Well, his managerial form since leaving Ibrox hasn’t exactly inspired confidence. His stint at Aston Villa ended poorly, with just two wins from 12 Premier League games.
Things didn’t improve much at Al Ettifaq either, where he departed by mutual consent after only 18 months, with the club finishing 12th in the Saudi Pro League after managing only five wins all season.
Plus, David Ancelotti looks to be Rangers preferred pick. He’d likely need to turn the job down for the Liverpool legend to have a shot.
With that in mind, the 5/1 odds on offer (16.7% implied probability) seem just about right.
H2: Russell Martin (6/1): Sacked Southampton Boss Might Find Redemption at Rangers
Martin’s most recent managerial stint hasn’t exactly been a fairytale, he was sacked following Southampton’s devastating 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham.
But could anyone have stopped the leaking in that sinking ship of a season?
And let’s not forget, his time at Southampton started positively. His debut saw The Saints end a nine-match winless streak against Sheffield Wednesday, and he oversaw the play-off victory over Leeds United which secured their promotion to the Premier League in the first place.
Before that, he helped Swansea rise from near relegation in the Championship to 10th place and transformed the playing style of Milton Keynes Dons.
Don’t let one disappointing season in the top flight fool you, Russell Martin is a talented manager, and Rangers bosses will be well aware of his abilities.
However, with few signs of enthusiasm from the club, we’d argue that his 6/1 odds (14.3% implied probability) may be overvalued. We’d place the true likelihood closer to 5%.
H2: Marco Rose (12/1): Is Former RB Leipzig Boss Worth the Price?
Another manager on the hunt for a fresh start after an unceremonious exit is former RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose. He was shown the door following a disappointing 2023–24 Bundesliga campaign and a lacklustre Champions League run.
That said, many felt the decision was a harsh one. After all, he guided Leipzig to a 2–0 victory in the 2022–23 DFB-Pokal final in less than a year at the helm.
Prior to that, he led Borussia Dortmund to a second-place Bundesliga finish, and before that, took Borussia Mönchengladbach into the knockout stages of the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League. Perhaps most impressively, he remained unbeaten at home throughout his time in charge of Red Bull Salzburg.
It’s quite the CV. However, with other names currently ahead in the pecking order and with Rose reportedly demanding a hefty wage, we reckon the chances of him landing the job at Rangers are slim.
Even 12/1 (7.7% implied probability) feels a bit generous. We’d put the true likelihood at closer to half that.
H2: Make Your Pick and Get More Chances To Win With bet365
It’s no secret. Our top pick for the next Rangers manager is Davide Ancelotti. But whether you agree with us or have someone else in mind, you can still have your say and get more chances to win with bet365.
Here’s the deal. Place a £5 or £10 bet on who you think will take the reins at Ibrox, and once it settles, you’ll get 300% back in free bets regardless of whether your bet is a success.
You could even use them on Rangers’ next match to see how the new gaffer is getting on.
It’s one of the best welcome offers in the UK right now so if you’re not already signed up and fancy a flutter on any of these markets, we highly recommend you take advantage.
