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Barry Ferguson has requested to be judged one match at a time during his stint as Rangers’ caretaker manager. His next challenge is the first leg of the Europa League clash against Fenerbahce in Istanbul on Thursday night.
This sees Ferguson facing off against the legendary Jose Mourinho, a manager with five European titles and 10 league championships across four different countries.
You might see it as the Special One versus the Only One, with Ferguson having to prove, match by match, that his appointment wasn’t based solely on his availability, but on his actual suitability.
The change in management was prompted by Philippe Clement’s ongoing failures, which the club and its supporters could no longer tolerate.
Ferguson’s appointment seems more about who he is, rather than what he has accomplished in terms of managerial experience.
Thursday’s match will be just Ferguson’s third as the full-time manager of a team, after managing part-time sides like Clyde, Kelty Hearts, and Alloa Athletic.
Despite his limited experience, he will be expected to step up during these crucial times. If he manages a win or even a draw against Mourinho’s team, his credibility will soar.
However, that might not be enough to secure him the job permanently, as Rangers are currently in a state of limbo.
A root-and-branch review is underway to understand why Rangers have reached this crisis point, with the manager’s role becoming less of a priority amid broader concerns.
The club’s current leadership is essentially improvising, with talks ongoing about a potential takeover by 49ers Enterprises, owners of the San Francisco 49ers NFL team.
This includes assembling a five-person management team largely made up of individuals regarded as “Real Rangers men.”
I mentioned last week how “Real Rangers men” was a term I often heard from radio callers after any calamity on the pitch, but I’m not convinced that simply having a strong playing history guarantees success as a manager.
This populist move, led by CEO Patrick Stewart, has backfired to an extent, with some fans accusing the Ibrox hierarchy of deceiving them. So much for the popular sentiment.
For context, I look across the city at Celtic and their hiring of Ange Postecoglou.
He arrived as a Greek-born Aussie with no prior Celtic connections, yet over two seasons, he won five of six trophies before moving on to Spurs, a club from one of Europe’s top five leagues.
Mourinho’s resume dwarfs Postecoglou’s, and if Ferguson can manage to keep Rangers in Europe by outsmarting the Portuguese manager, it would be a remarkable achievement.
Though Mourinho might be in decline and embroiled in controversy in Turkey, his record is still illustrious, and Rangers’ squad, which includes players from all over the globe, isn’t made up of many “Real Rangers men” either.
Players like Morocco’s Hamza Igamane are far removed from the club’s traditional identity.
If Ferguson manages to overcome Mourinho, it will be based on his current tactical knowledge, not his past as a player.
A victory would be the perfect way for Ferguson to prove his worth before higher-ups decide who will permanently take the reins at Ibrox.
One thing is clear, though: Clement’s Rangers team wouldn’t have staged the comeback Ferguson’s side did at Rugby Park on Wednesday night, coming from two goals down to earn a point.
The next couple of weeks, which include two matches against Mourinho and an Old Firm derby at Celtic Park, will determine whether Ferguson can silence his doubters.
