
Mystery over ex-Rangers coach's next move as he ‘takes charge of new club days after having talks with Bayer Leverkusen'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
HE looked set to swap one top European club for another after his short managerial stint in Belgium came to an end.
But despite reportedly having talks with Bayer Leverkusen lined up, this former Rangers coach has in fact been spotted 6,000 miles away instead.
1
He was Philippe Clement's right-hand man at Ibrox
Credit: Getty
Andries Ulderink, previously Philippe Clement's No.2 at Ibrox, was most recently the manager Antwerp - until a few days ago.
The Dutchman took over as boss in March - less than three months after his Gers exit - but his time in the dugout is over already, having won just two out of his 13 games in charge.
Antwerp chiefs decided not to extend his contract beyond this season which led to questions around his next move.
According to Voetbal International, Ulderink revealed he was set to travel to Germany for discussions with Bayer Leverkusen about being Erik Ten Hag's new assistant manager.
It's claimed the pair know each other well, and the ex-Man Utd and Ajax gaffer - who replaced Xabi Alonso in the hot-seat last week - is keen to work with him in the Bundesliga.
But in a bizarre turn of events, Ulderink, 55, looks set to make a swift return to management in South Africa instead.
The experienced coach has been spotted taking a training session at one of his former clubs - Cape Town FC - and local reports suggest his appointment will be announced imminently.
It's an unusual move at this time of the season as he takes charge just days before the relegation play-offs.
The Citizens finished second-bottom in the league and will battle it out in a three-team group to hold onto their top flight status.
The second and third placed teams in the second tier face off against the club in Cape Town City's position each season, with six games played in total - each side playing one another home and away.
Rangers fans react as 49ers takeover completed
The team which finishes top of the group will compete in the top division next season.
The play-offs get underway on June 11, with Cape Town City's first game scheduled against Casric Stars three days later.
They then face their first game against Orbit College on June 18.
It's unclear at this stage whether or not Ulderink will stay in South Africa beyond the play-offs, or if he plans to take up the job at Bayer Leverkusen after helping his old club steer clear of the drop.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
18 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Bruno Fernandes receives telling message from ex-Man Utd star after £300m snub
A former Manchester United star has reacted after Bruno Fernandes rejected a big-money move to Al-Hilal after the Saudi outfit made a staggering £300million offer Bruno Fernandes has been praised by former Manchester United star Ben Foster for snubbing a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia. The United skipper disclosed this week that he had rejected the chance to exit Old Trafford for Al-Hilal. The decision came despite the Saudi Pro League club's willingness to fork out an eye-watering £300million package, which included £100m for United and a £200m contract for the Portuguese midfielder. The 30-year-old playmaker turned down the offer after stating his desire to maintain his career "at the highest level". Ex-United goalkeeper Ben Foster has now voiced his joy at Fernandes' decision to stay put, despite questioning his sanity with a tongue-in-cheek remark. Sharing his thoughts via his Cycling GK Instagram account, the ex-Wrexham shot-stopper said: "I'm so happy about it, because it just goes to show that some footballers actually do it for the love of the game - it's not all about money." "Not only that, we want to see the best players playing in the Premier League week in, week out, and Bruno Fernandes is one of those players." Speaking directly to Fernandes, Foster said: "Bruno, I don't know whether you're a little bit mad or just madly in love with football, either way, I love it, mate. I'm all over it and looking forward to watching you playing in the Premier League next season." Fernandes revealed at a press conference on Tuesday why he turned down a move to Al-Hilal as United plan for a rebuild under manager Ruben Amorim. Speaking while on international duty with Portugal, he said: "There was an opportunity. The [Al-Hilal] president called me and asked if I wanted to go there. "They were waiting for me. I spoke to coach Amorim. He asked me not to go. Manchester United didn't want to sell me. They don't need the money. If I had wanted to leave, they would have made it happen. "It [would have been] an easy move, even at a family level. I had João Cancelo there, my children are used to playing with him in the national team. We have a great friendship. But I want to maintain myself at the highest level, playing in the big competitions and I feel capable of it." After a disappointing season which saw United finish 15th in the Premier League, Amorim, who succeeded Erik Ten Hag last November, is aiming to revamp his squad. The club has already made one major signing after bringing in Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5million, while interest has also been shown in Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford. Ex-United defender Gary Neville has lauded Fernandes' commitment to the club during a challenging period. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "He's so important. It would have been easy for him at the end of this season to say, 'Look, I'm done here'. This will endear him towards Manchester United fans even more. "To turn that money down at a point where Manchester United are at their lowest ebb and say, 'No, I want to fight through this, I want to see it through the other side, I want to come out and achieve things', I think it says a lot about him as a person, as a character. The club needs people who are going to run through a brick wall for them." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.


North Wales Chronicle
20 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Friday briefing: Lamine Yamal stars for Spain and ‘no crisis' for Sarina Wiegman
England boss Sarina Wiegman named her squad for Euro 2025 – insisting there was no 'crisis' in the Lionesses' camp. Russell Martin was announced as the new Rangers manager and Wales geared up for their next World Cup qualifier in Cardiff on Friday night, when Scotland and the Republic of Ireland will both play friendlies. An all-time classic in the Nations League semi-finals 🤯#NationsLeague — UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) June 5, 2025 Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal scored twice as holders Spain beat France 5-4 in an entertaining heavyweight clash in Stuttgart to book their place in the Nations League final against Portugal. Goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Merino in the space of three minutes midway through the first half had put the European champions in control. Yamal, 17, slotted in a penalty soon after the restart, with Pedri then swiftly clipping home a fourth before Kylian Mbappe pulled a goal back for France from the spot in the 59th minute. After Lamal showed more fine close control to slide in a second goal, Lyon winger Rayan Cherki marked his debut off the bench when he crashed in a volley with 10 minutes left. A late own goal from Dani Vivian saw France claw back another before Randal Kolo Muani headed in during stoppage time. Spain, though, held out to make a third straight Nations League final, which will be played in Munich on Sunday. England boss Sarina Wiegman insisted there was no 'crisis' as she named a 23-strong squad for Euro 2025 following a tumultuous month for the Lionesses. It has been a far from settled few weeks as England prepared to defend their European crown, opening the campaign against France in Zurich on July 5. Both goalkeeper Mary Earps and attacker Fran Kirby had announced their retirement from international football, while defender Millie Bright pulled out of the tournament to prioritize her mental health, with Chelsea later confirming she had undergone minor knee surgery. Wiegman, though, dismissed the idea the Lionesses camp is unsettled. Chelsea striker Lauren James, recovering from a hamstring injury, has been included in the squad, alongside 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang. 'We're going with this 23 to the Euros and I'm comfortable, happy and excited. For me it doesn't feel like a crisis at all,' Wiegman said. 'There is always noise, so we expect noise before we go into a tournament. The difference is in my first tournament, the attention and visibility with the women's team has increased. 'We have to deal with it and move on and focus on football.' Wales boss Craig Bellamy says one of the world's worst football teams Liechtenstein have given him sleepless nights ahead of their World Cup qualifier. Liechtenstein – ranked 205th out of FIFA's 210 nations – have not won a competitive game since September 2020, and lost their opening two World Cup qualifiers in March. Bellamy, though, warned against any sense of complacency from his side in Cardiff on Friday night. 'We've prepared for Liechtenstein as we did for Turkey and everyone else – it doesn't matter who we play against,' the Wales boss said. 'I was up late last night. I didn't sleep well. Does that tell you something? I treat every team the same.' New Rangers head coach Russell Martin has told sceptics he is looking to prove them wrong. News of the former MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton manager's three-year deal at Ibrox has not gone down well with some supporters. However, former Scotland defender Martin, who had an unsuccessful loan period at Rangers in 2018, is ready to meet the challenges head on. 💙 — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) June 5, 2025 'My whole career has been based on proving people wrong, really. At every level I got questioned,' former Norwich captain Martin, 39, said. 'I got to the Premier League as a player, I wasn't convinced I could do it, but I managed to establish myself there for a little while, played international football, which I'm incredibly proud of. 'So it's the same again as a manager – I had to prove people wrong at every opportunity.' England boss Thomas Tuchel will hold a press conference on Friday afternoon ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona. Wales later take on Liechtenstein in their Group J fixture in Cardiff, while Scotland play a friendly against Iceland as do the Republic of Ireland when they host Senegal. Ahead of all that on Friday morning, England under-21s coach Lee Carsley will name his squad for the upcoming European Championships in Slovakia.


Scottish Sun
25 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Rangers nine-in-a-row hero leaves SPFL club after NINETEEN years amid major backroom changes
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SIMO VALAKARI will shake up his coaching staff after splitting with number two Andy Kirk and long-serving coach Alex Cleland. The Finn has decided to make major changes to his backroom team following relegation to the Championship. 2 Alec Cleland pictured taking training at McDiarmid Park Credit: Perthshire Picture Agency 2 Cleland (right) celebrates a Rangers goal with McCoist and Durrant Valakari inherited Kirk from former boss Craig Levein, who brought him in from Brechin City when he got the job in 2023. Cleland has served Saints since 2009, after joining as U20s manager under Derek McInnes and then stepping up to become assistant boss to Tommy Wright. The ex-Rangers and Everton star has stepped in as caretaker several times over the years and was part of the first-team coaching staff under Valakari last term. Saints will now bring in a coach/analyst from abroad, with a domestic-based number two being targeted. Valakari's son Paavo, who joined the staff mid-way through last season, will remain in his post as performance manager. Saints said: 'The club can confirm that there will be a restructuring of the football department as we look ahead to the 2025/26 season. 'Assistant manager Andy Kirk and first team coach Alex Cleland both depart. We thank them greatly for all of their contributions. 'Andy arrived at McDiarmid Park as assistant to Craig Levein and during his time with us, also took on the role of interim manager. 'He operated with professionalism throughout, and we wish him all the very best for the future. 'Alex joined in the summer of 2009 to work alongside Derek McInnes and Tony Docherty for our return to top-flight football. St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari on loving 'crazy' club owners, his Motherwell days and run-in with a Celtic hero 'While managers moved on through the years, Alex remained a constant. 'He played his part in us winning three pieces of major silverware – the Scottish Cup in 2014 and 2021, as well as the League Cup in 2021. 'Alex was also first team coach throughout numerous top six finishes and memorable European adventures, including advancing beyond both Rosenborg and FC Luzern. 'He stepped into the role of interim manager on more than one occasion and always went about his business with the utmost professionalism. 'Not just a positive influence on first team senior squad members, Alex has also helped shape the careers of countless young footballers who transitioned through our academy. 'Again, we thank Alex for his major contribution to St Johnstone Football Club and wish him the very best for the future.' Meanwhile, defender Sam McClelland, who is out of contract this summer, has undergone another operation on his injured achilles. The Northern Ireland international suffered the injury on the opening day of last season's Premiership so has been out of action since. Saints will give him facilities to continue his rehab while he builds up his fitness. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page