Rangers Linked with Rafa Benitez – High Salary Demands Raise Doubts
Glasgow Rangers have been linked with Rafa Benitez as the club searches for a new permanent head coach following the dismissal of Philippe Clement.
Currently, club legend Barry Ferguson has taken interim charge and is undoubtedly a candidate for the permanent position. However, Andrew Cavengah and 49ers Enterprises, who are working on a takeover of the Rangers, may consider other options.
Benitez as a Possible Option – But His Salary Could Be an Issue
Former Liverpool manager Benitez could be among the potential candidates for the new owners. However, according to Scottish journalist Mark Guidi, Rangers would have to dig deep financially to bring the Spaniard to Ibrox – with reports suggesting a salary of around £6 million per year.
Guidi believes that Benitez’s name is being linked to the club mainly due to the potential American investment. Speaking on Go Radio Football Show (March 24), the journalist expressed skepticism about the financial implications of such a deal:
“These names are surfacing because a takeover is imminent. As soon as you hear about American billionaires, excitement builds. But what would it take to bring Benitez in? Does he even want to work in Scotland? Would he accept a base salary of around £6 million per year? Are the potential new owners willing to invest that kind of money? There is no evidence out there whatsoever. We don’t know what these potential new owners are thinking.”
Is Ferguson a Better Option for Rangers?
Barry Ferguson has quickly proven himself as a worthy candidate for the managerial role. Under his leadership, Rangers secured an impressive 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Celtic at Celtic Park, with Hamza Igamane scoring the decisive goal in the final minutes. He also guided the team to the Europa League quarter-finals after defeating Fenerbahce on penalties at Ibrox.
Unlike Clement’s disappointing tenure, Ferguson’s appointment has revitalized the club and re-energized the fans. Rangers must now be at their best to salvage their season, with their only remaining shot at silverware lying in the Europa League, where they will face Athletic Club in the quarter-finals.
If Ferguson manages to pull off a major upset against the La Liga side and lead Rangers to the semi-finals, he would undoubtedly deserve at least a one-year contract extension.
Benitez was among the world’s top managers nearly two decades ago, but his recent coaching stints have been less than inspiring. Given this, Rangers might be wiser to stick with someone like Ferguson, who knows the club inside out and has already proven he can lead the team successfully.
