Pedro Caixinha set to become new Rangers boss after Qatar go-ahead, Sky sources
Tuesday 7 March 2017 22:04, UK
Pedro Caixinha is "very close" to becoming the new Rangers manager, according to Sky sources.
The 46-year-old Portuguese, who is manager of Al-Gharafa Sports Club in Qatar, is awaiting the blessing of club President Sheikh Jassim Bin Thamer Al Thani before flying from the Middle East to Scotland.
Caixinha and Rangers are confident the move will be finalised in the next few days, and Caixinha could be confirmed as Mark Warburton's successor later this week, before the Old Firm game with Celtic on Sunday.
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Sources close to Caixinha have also told Sky Sports News HQ that he is not expected to take charge of the team for Sunday's match at Celtic Park; instead, interim manager Graeme Murty will be in the dugout once again, while Caixinha is likely to watch from the stands.
Al Thani is a prominent member of Qatar's ruling family, hence Caixinha's patience in awaiting official clearance before completing his move to Ibrox. Caixinha has managed Al-Gharafa since 2015, following various stints as a manager and assistant in Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Romania and Mexico.
When appointed, Caixinha will become Rangers' third manager from continental Europe in 19 years. Dutchman Dick Advocaat was the first; he succeeded Walter Smith in 1998 and guided the club to five trophies in his first two seasons, before stepping down in 2001. Paul Le Guen was appointed in 2006 on the back of a glittering CV, but the Frenchman lasted less than six months at Ibrox.
Despite the news of Caixinha's imminent arrival, Rangers appear no nearer appointing a director of football. The club had hoped to make an appointment by the end of last week, but have yet to receive a reply from from main target Ross Wilson, the director of scouting and recruitment at Southampton.
Tottenham Hotspur's head of recruitment Paul Mitchell has also been linked with the role; it has been reported that Mitchell has been placed on gardening leave.
It is now nearly a month since Mark Warburton left Ibrox; since then, Rangers have won just once in the Scottish Premiership with Murty in charge, but they have progressed to the Scottish Cup semi-finals, where they will face Celtic on Sunday April 23 at Hampden Park.
