NafisaRangers managerial favourite Davide Ancelotti has dramatically withdrawn from contention for the Ibrox role in order to continue his duties as assistant to his father Carlo.
That’s according to new reports from Spain on Friday morning which suggest the 35-year-old Real Madrid deputy has opted to accept a long-term role working alongside his esteemed father as assistant coach with the Brazil national team.
Ancelotti senior is stepping down from his role as head coach of Real Madrid at the close of the season to take the reins of the five-time World Cup champions.
It was originally reported that he and his son Davide were preparing to go separate ways, with Ancelotti junior set to begin his own managerial path after serving as his father’s right-hand man at Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton and Madrid.
It was believed that Ancelotti junior had engaged in constructive talks with the incoming Rangers ownership group — a US consortium headed by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises — and was leaning towards a move to Ibrox over competing proposals from Italy and Saudi Arabia.
However, Spanish media are now stating that Ancelotti junior has chosen to delay his independent managerial journey to stay by his father’s side for at least one more year, until after the 2026 World Cup.
A report from radio outlet Onda Cero suggests that the scarcity of “major” opportunities influenced the change of heart, along with the appeal of aiding his father in his quest to win the World Cup with Brazil in what will be the 65-year-old’s debut international management role.
Rangers are set to appoint a new full-time manager this summer, having named former captain Barry Ferguson as interim boss until the season concludes following the dismissal of Philippe Clement in February.
The recruitment process for the next manager is being overseen by incoming sporting director Kevin Thelwell — who will arrive from Everton at the end of the season — and 49ers Enterprises, who are expected to finalise their acquisition of the Glasgow club next month.
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