New Rangers manager Barry Ferguson has expressed his honor and excitement at taking over as head coach until the end of the season, vowing to adopt an attacking style of play to excite the Ibrox faithful. Ferguson, a club legend who secured 15 trophies during his two spells as a Rangers player, was appointed after Philippe Clement was sacked on Sunday night. Following a whirlwind 24 hours, Ferguson was named interim head coach for the remainder of the 2024/25 season, supported by former teammates Neil McCann, Billy Dodds, and Allan McGregor.
Ferguson admitted he couldn’t turn down the opportunity, despite the role being temporary. “I am proud, and I am excited,” he said in an in-house Rangers interview. “If I am being honest, it came out of the blue, so it has been a whirlwind 24 hours, but I am just happy to get it done, get my staff together, get to the training ground, and get going.” He also emphasized his responsibility to inspire the team, stating, “It is my job to go and get a kick out of this group of players.”
Ferguson succeeds Philippe Clement, who was dismissed after a string of inconsistent domestic performances despite some impressive results in European competitions. In his brief tenure, Clement struggled to find consistency in the Scottish Premiership, leading to his departure. Clement’s assistant, Issame Charai, will remain part of the coaching team under Ferguson, ensuring some continuity amid the rapid changes.
This marks Ferguson’s return to management after three years away from frontline coaching. His last managerial role was with Alloa Athletic, which ended in February 2022. Since then, he has been working as a media pundit, closely following Rangers’ performances. Ferguson acknowledged the team’s inconsistency, particularly in domestic competitions, saying, “Domestically, that is your bread and butter, that is where you have got to win most weeks. I think there have been too many bumps in the road, so it is my job as a manager and the staff’s job to try and get a level of consistency in the squad.”
Ferguson’s coaching team includes familiar faces from his playing days. Neil McCann and Billy Dodds bring managerial experience, while Allan McGregor, a club icon, adds valuable insight and leadership. “I played with them, I know the characters that they are and I know how good they are on the training pitch in terms of organisational skills,” Ferguson said of his coaching staff. He expressed his excitement about working with his new team, praising their passion and commitment to the club.
Ferguson also spoke about his tactical approach, promising an aggressive, attack-minded style of play. “We are going to be aggressive, which was a part of my game as well and I don’t mean by going and tackling people, but I mean aggressive in the press,” he explained. He emphasized the importance of winning every game, acknowledging the high expectations at Rangers: “You have to win every game with the demands and the expectation put on you here. When people come to watch, they expect you to win games, and I don’t think we have won enough this year.”
Ferguson’s first game in charge will be against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Wednesday night in the Premiership. He is eager to get started and confident that the current squad has the potential to succeed. “There are definitely quality players, and they look a good group, they just look a bit flat at this moment in time, and it is our job to try and get this confidence back up,” he stated.
His first home match at Ibrox will be against Motherwell on Saturday. Ahead of these crucial fixtures, Ferguson is set to address the media on Tuesday afternoon, outlining his vision and goals for the rest of the season. As he embarks on this new chapter, Ferguson is determined to inspire the team and bring success back to Ibrox, reigniting the attacking spirit that defined his playing career.
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