Glasgow Rangers are currently searching for their next head coach after they ended the 2024/25 campaign without a single trophy to show for their efforts.
The Light Blues had to watch on as Aberdeen secured silverware by beating Celtic on penalties in the final of the SFA Cup, a competition the club were knocked out of by lower league outfit Queen’s Park in one of Philippe Clement’s last matches in charge.
Rangers opted to relieve the Belgian head coach of his duties shortly after that dismal result in the cup, and Barry Ferguson came in as the interim head coach until the end of the season.
The former Scotland international, who played for Rangers in his playing days, only won six of his 15 matches in charge in all competitions, and ended his tenure with a 2-2 draw away at Hibernian.
It has since been confirmed that Ferguson will not be offered the job on a full-time basis and that he will return to his ambassador role at Ibrox.
This means that the job is still available to a head coach from elsewhere, and Davide Ancelotti is a name that continues to be linked with a switch to Glasgow.
Why Rangers should not appoint Davide Ancelotti
RangersReview reported that claims from Spain that the Italian coach is close to being appointed as the next manager are premature, but that there are further talks planned with the former Real Madrid assistant.
Ancelotti and his father Carlo said their goodbyes to the Real Madrid supporters after their final match against Real Sociedad in LaLiga on Saturday, with his dad set to join the Brazilian national team.
It remains to be seen whether or not Davide will join him in Brazil or take up a post elsewhere, but Rangers should opt against a move for him this summer.
The Light Blues need a manager who can bring success back to Ibrox and hiring the former Real assistant would be a massive risk, because he has not managed a team in his senior career to date.
Real Madrid (Assistant manager)
Carlo Ancelotti
233
Everton (Assistant manager)
Carlo Ancelotti
67
Napoli (Assistant manager)
Carlo Ancelotti
73
Bayern Munich (Assistant manager)
Carlo Ancelotti
60
Real Madrid (Fitness coach)
Carlo Ancelotti
119
PSG (Fitness coach)
Carlo Ancelotti
77
As you can see in the table above, Ancelotti has only worked under his father as a fitness coach or as an assistant to date, which means that he is unproven as the main man leading a team.
His vast experience at gigantic European clubs, like PSG, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, is a plus in his column, but there is no guarantee that he can use that as a head coach in his own right.
That is why Rangers should not appoint Ancelotti as their next head coach, particularly when they are reportedly eyeing up a manager who would be a much better option on paper.
Rangers have held talks with 3-4-3 manager
According to the BBC, Danish head coach Brian Priske has emerged as a contender for the vacant managerial position at Ibrox ahead of next season.
The report claims that the manager, who was sacked by Feyenoord earlier this season, has already held talks with the Scottish giants over a possible move to Glasgow.
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It states that the process is ongoing and that Priske is one of a number of candidates they have lined up to permanently replace Clement, following on from Ferguson’s departure at the end of the season.
The BBC adds that Ancelotti and former Southampton head coach Russell Martin have also been named as managers who could be in the frame alongside the Danish tactician.
With this in mind, the 49ers, Patrick Stewart, and Kevin Thelwell must all agree to pursue Priske further, beyond the initial talks that have been held, because he would be miles better than Ancelotti.
Why Rangers should appoint Brian Priske
Rangers should swoop to appoint the 48-year-old tactician because he is a proven winner who has won league titles in the top divisions in multiple other countries.
Priske, who typically deploys a 3-4-3 system, is an experienced manager who has been there and done it. Whereas, Ancelotti has it all to prove and is yet to show that he has what it takes to lead a team to success on his own.
Rangers will want to get back to winning ways in the Scottish Premiership to prevent Celtic from winning a fifth title in succession, which is why they should appoint a manager who has a proven track record of success when it comes to winning leagues, or at least coaching a winning team.
Priske won two league titles during his time with Sparta Prague in Czechia and won a league title in his first season in management with Midtjylland in the 2019/20 campaign in his home country.
24/25 (Feyenoord)
21
39
3rd
23/24 (Sparta Prague)
35
87
1st
22/23 (Sparta Prague)
35
78
1st
21/22 (Royal Antwerp)
40
67
4th
20/21 (Midtjylland)
32
50
2nd
19/20 (Midtjylland)
30
65
1st
As you can see in the table above, the Danish boss has never finished below fourth in a league season, although Feyenoord dismissed him earlier this term with his side in third, so it could have gone either way if he had been kept on.
This shows that Priske has won two league titles in the last three seasons, and three in six seasons as a manager, which is why he would be miles better than Ancelotti as an option for the Gers.
He has the relevant experience and success to suggest that Rangers would be making a brilliant decision to bring him in, whilst Ancelotti would be a huge gamble given his lack of experience as a first-team head coach.
Priske also won the Dutch Super Cup with Feyenoord and the Czech Cup with Sparta Prague, which shows that he can also handle cup competitions and has the potential to deliver success in the League Cup and the SFA Cup.
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Therefore, the Light Blues must swoop to appoint the Danish head coach as their permanent replacement for Philippe Clement because he appears to be the ideal candidate on paper.