Rangers News Feed
A Fresh Name in the Frame – Francesco Farioli
As Rangers ramp up their search for a new manager, another intriguing name has emerged—Francesco Farioli, the Italian coach recently in charge at Ajax. As revealed by The Herald, the Ibrox club has already held discussions with the 35-year-old tactician as they evaluate options for a pivotal appointment this summer.
While Davide Ancelotti remains the front-runner, Farioli is being seriously considered for his tactical acumen and bold football philosophy.
The State of Rangers’ Managerial Search
The Rangers board is moving swiftly to secure a new manager following another season that fell short of expectations. With Steven Gerrard now out of the running and Russell Martin unlikely to be offered the job, Davide Ancelotti—son of Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti—has become the bookies’ favourite.
Still, the club has cast a wide net, and Francesco Farioli‘s name has appeared as an unexpected yet intriguing option.
Who is Francesco Farioli?
Farioli rose through the coaching ranks not with a playing career, but as a goalkeeping coach and tactician. His big break came when he joined Roberto De Zerbi’s staff at Sassuolo, before stepping into the spotlight as a head coach in Turkey and later France.
Managerial Career Highlights:
- Fatih Karagümrük (Turkey, 2021): First senior managerial role. Introduced a possession-based system and drew attention for his progressive approach.
- Alanyaspor (Turkey, 2021–2022): Took the club to mid-table security with an attacking philosophy. Finished 5th in the 2021–22 Süper Lig season.
- OGC Nice (France, 2022–2023): Managed 38 games with a win percentage of 44%, guiding the team to European contention during parts of the campaign.
- Ajax (Netherlands, 2023–2024): Appointed in a turbulent period. While results were inconsistent, his focus on youth development and modern football concepts drew praise. Left the club with a record of 9 wins, 8 draws, and 10 losses across competitions.
Farioli is admired for his tactical intelligence, pressing systems, and use of ball-playing centre-backs. He’s been labelled one of Europe’s most promising young coaches—though still relatively inexperienced at the top level.
Why Rangers Are Considering Farioli
Rangers are reportedly looking for a coach who can modernise the squad, develop young talent, and implement a more dominant, proactive style of play. Farioli’s track record—especially at Alanyaspor and Nice—suggests he’s capable of building structured, attack-minded teams.
With the Scottish Premiership title slipping away once again, the board recognises that this summer’s appointment could define the club’s trajectory for years to come. Farioli may not be the most obvious candidate, but his ideas and potential make him a wildcard worth watching.
What’s Next?
Talks with Farioli have taken place, but Davide Ancelotti remains the clear favourite to land the job. A decision is expected soon, with preseason preparations already on the horizon. For now, Farioli is firmly in the mix—and his name won’t be disappearing any time soon.
