RANGERS have sacked boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst after just 12 months in charge at Ibrox.
The Dutchman returned to Glasgow last November to succeed Steven Gerrard in the dugout following his move to Aston Villa.
But Herald and Times Sport can reveal that his reign has now been cut short after the Ibrox board made the decision to part ways with Van Bronckhorst halfway through his first full term in charge.
READ MORE: Douglas Park details why Rangers sacked Giovanni van Bronckhorst
UPDATE: READ RANGERS CLUB STATEMENT
Van Bronckhorst looked to have been given a stay of execution as the first days of the World Cup break passed without note and he celebrated his anniversary in charge last Friday.
The situation has gathered pace over the weekend, however, and the 47-year-old has now been informed that his tenure has come to an end following a poor run that leaves Rangers all-but out of the Premiership title race.
It is understood that assistant manager Dave Vos, coach Roy Makaay and Van Bronckhorst's support staff will also be leaving Ibrox.
Supporters have become increasingly vocal as questions have been asked of chairman Douglas Park and Ross Wilson, the sporting director, in recent weeks and the decision to sack Van Bronckhorst comes just a fortnight before the AGM.
The former Light Blues midfielder guided Rangers to the Europa League final in Seville last season and lifted the Scottish Cup just days later as the long wait for silverware was finally ended.
UPDATE: READ RANGERS CLUB STATEMENT
The credit in the bank for those achievements has quickly run out, though, as Rangers have endured a difficult campaign at home and abroad and suffered a nightmare injury crisis that has undermined their season.
Van Bronckhorst delivered Champions League football with a play-off round victory over PSV Eindhoven but then saw his side humbled as they landed the unwanted title of the worst ever group stage outfit.
A record-breaking 7-1 defeat at home to Liverpool was the low point as Rangers scored just two goals and were outplayed and outclassed by the Reds, Napoli and Ajax.
READ MORE: Next Rangers manager odds as Giovanni van Bronckhorst is sacked
Those continental embarrassments were the backdrop to a difficult domestic term as Rangers struggled to put together a sustained run of performances and results in the Premiership.
The situation escalated in the weeks before the World Cup break as points were dropped at home to Livingston and away to St Johnstone and St Mirren to leave Van Bronckhorst’s side trailing adrift of Old Firm rivals Celtic.
And that has now acted as the catalyst for change at Rangers as the Ibrox board turn their attentions to the next man at the helm ahead of the return to domestic action next month.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel