Gio reveals Gers exit regret but last dance shows where blame lies
03/05/2024 15:00
A successful Rangers manager always has a core of players who he can trust, but Giovanni van Bronckhorst seemed to have almost two different groups.
In the Europa League, the squad seemed free, unburdened by pressure and able to play to the best of their abilities. Domestically, it was a different story.
In his time at Rangers, Giovanni van Bronckhorst had a tenure that ended in failure, however, it was one that could have been legendary, with the former boss reflecting on his time at Ibrox.
Rangers exit still leaves bitter taste for Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Despite not being at the club for long and getting off to a good start, an abysmal showing at Parkhead in his first Old Firm derby saw the pressure mount almost immediately.
A lead that had been inherited dwindled away.
After just a year in charge, Van Bronckhorst was removed from his duties.
When asked about speculation linking him with a return to Feyenoord, Van Bronckhorst was quick to reflect on his time at Rangers as a lesson to be learned:
“I don’t know if it makes it more difficult to return to a club you were previously successful at.
“I was a player for Rangers and went there as a manager. And I left in a way I didn’t want to – in the wrong way.
“Of course, Feyenoord is the club of my heart, everyone knows that. I first walked in there when I was seven years old. But nothing is happening at the moment.
“I haven’t had to think about it yet. Of course, I had a great time at Feyenoord. Four years as an assistant and then four years as a manager.
“I had a lot of wonderful moments. I cherish that.”
The atmosphere around the club when Gio was sacked was toxic, to the extent that it was a decision that had to be made.
The reality is, Giovanni van Bronckhorst was one Old Firm win away from a league title, and a couple of penalty kicks away from Europa League glory.
Van Bronckhorst should have left as Rangers legend
Failure wasn't solely down to the manager and, domestically, games against Dundee Utd, Ross County and Motherwell saw points dropped due to individual mistakes when Rangers had been dominant.
The following season went from bad to worse though.
A series of crippling injuries saw new signings like Ridvan Yilmaz, Ben Davies and Tom Lawrence ruled out for the long term.
What didn't help was Filip Helander, John Souttar, Connor Goldson and Alfredo Morelos also missing a large period of the season.
In Gio's last game, Robbie Ure, Charlie McCann, Adam Devine and Johnly Yfeko were all in the squad, with Leon King starting at centre-half alongside James Sands.
With time brings perspective.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst got a lot of things wrong in his time at Rangers but he did enough to warrant respect – despite the way he had to leave.
