Ally McCoist Weighs in on Davide Ancelotti’s Potential Rangers Move | OneFootball

Davide Ancelotti and Rangers: Gamble or Genius?

As Rangers navigate one of their most pivotal transitions in recent years, TalkSPORT’s morning show took a sharp lens to the Ibrox club’s managerial search, takeover situation, and the intriguing prospect of Davide Ancelotti – son of Real Madrid boss Carlo – stepping out from his father’s shadow.

The former Rangers striker admitted, “It’s a hard place for Rangers to go, Ibrox at the minute, isn’t it?” He was reflecting on recent struggles – until the 4-0 win over Aberdeen, it had been six matches without victory. “They’ve been struggling along the form,” he said plainly.

Ownership Shifts and Managerial Movement

The backdrop to all of this is the club’s ongoing ownership reshuffle. McCoist revealed, “They’re in the middle of this takeover… by this consortium involving the 49ers Enterprises.” The consortium, reportedly fronted by a “healthcare guru in the States,” is believed to be acquiring 51% of the club – a move that could redefine Rangers both financially and structurally.

But it was the shift in managerial prospects that turned most heads. Barry Ferguson, once tipped to take the reins, now looks unlikely to land the role. As McCoist noted, “It doesn’t now sound like Barry is going to get the job.” The reason? Davide Ancelotti has emerged as a frontrunner.

Ancelotti’s Credentials Under the Microscope

Is Ancelotti Jr. ready for the glare of Ibrox? The TalkSport panel weren’t convinced, noting: “Why would you take this punt, unless he’s so impressive?” While acknowledging Davide’s rise alongside his father, they questioned whether Rangers should be the proving ground for an untested number one.

“There’s other times… how do you get your opportunity?” they mused, but remained critical of high-risk appointments: “If you’ve got an owner of a football club… telling us the Rooney appointment was based on none of his credentials, what he’d done in the past was of no interest to them – I don’t understand that.”

Yet McCoist offered a contrasting view. He defended the logic behind Davide’s potential leap, drawing on historical parallels: “When Steven Gerrard went to Rangers… am I right in thinking he was the under-18s manager at Liverpool at the time?” And Gerrard, of course, went on to win Rangers’ first title in a decade.

Rangers’ New Era Approaches

Beyond managerial credentials, McCoist saw a deeper meaning in the Ancelotti link. “The interesting thing about this potential appointment with Davide Ancelotti – what it would tell me, arguably more importantly – is the takeover’s just about done,” he said. He reasoned that a major decision like appointing a new manager wouldn’t proceed without new owners already calling the shots: “The club will be in new hands before a new manager’s appointed.”

They added: “This is Rangers and all of the challenges that Rangers have brought… where the board is in disarray at times, the ownership is changing… the expectations of the appointments are a gamble.”

McCoist wasn’t naive about the risks: “Do we not know enough about him yet because he has stuck to his dad’s side for so long?” But he also pointed out that others – Arteta, Mourinho – started as assistants before shining. “You do get fantastic number twos… but you would think the majority, particularly younger number twos, are serving their time and they want an opportunity themselves.”

Hope, History and Ibrox Identity

Rangers fans are caught between uncertainty and ambition. Should Ferguson be offered a role within the structure if Ancelotti is appointed? McCoist argued for continuity and identity: “It’s always good to have somebody and people round about the club that know the club and know what the club’s all about.”

He referenced Bayern Munich’s philosophy: “The spine of their whole thing’s always been Munich… Now, it doesn’t guarantee you success, but it guarantees you people that know about the club.”

As for Davide? “This is his big chance, it looks that way anyway,” said McCoist. Whether it’s hope or a hunch, Rangers may be on the brink of a bold new era.