Davide Ancelotti emerges as ‘hot contender' for huge European job as Rangers face fresh competition for manager target
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DAVIDE ANCELOTTI remains the favourite to become the next Rangers manager.
But as the Light Blues bring a close to their search for a new boss, there's reportedly fresh competition for the Italian coach.
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MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 24: Davide Ancelotti of Real Madrid warms up ahead of the La Liga week 38 match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, on May 24, 2025. (Photo by Oscar J. Barroso/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Credit: Getty
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Fabio Celestini led Basel to a league and cup double
Credit: Alamy
The £90million US takeover of Rangers led by businessman Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises was finalised last week.
With the new supremos now in place, the Gers' new sporting director Kevin Thelwell has also started work with Everton ally Dan Purdy soon to join him as technical director.
But as the pieces to the puzzle all begin to fit nicely together, the managerial position remains vacant.
A decision on who takes over first team duties at Ibrox is expected before long with the process drawing to a close.
Davide Ancelotti and Russell Martin are the frontrunners to land the role.
Ancelotti, 35, looks set to take his first managerial role this summer having worked under his dad Carlo for the past 13 years.
Davide was his father's assistant manager at Bayern Munich, Everton, Napoli and Real Madrid.
Their time at the Bernabeu ended last weekend, with Carlo beginning work as the new Brazil manager just a day later.
Davide did NOT travel to Rio de Janeiro and hasn't taken up a position in his dad's staff this time around, with Carlo confirming he was in talks with clubs about becoming a manager.
He remains the odds-on favourite to be named the new Rangers boss.
Rangers fans react as 49ers takeover completed
Ancelotti has been linked with several other clubs too, however, including Serie A newcomers Pisa and the sleeping giants of Spanish football, Deportivo La Coruna.
But now a new club's name has entered the fray.
Swiss outlet Blick claim that Ancelotti is a 'hot contender' for the Basel job.
They've just become Swiss champions having won the title for the first time in eight years.
Basel also won the Swiss Cup, securing that trophy for the first time since 2019.
But the man who led them to double glory won't be sticking around.
Fabio Celestini is on his way out of the club after less than two years in charge, having transformed the side from bottom of the table to league champions.
The former Switzerland international, 49, has his eye on a fresh challenge and is looking to head overseas.
Ancelotti was previously linked with the Basel job two years ago and it's said he's 'highly regarded' by the club.
The position went to Timo Schulz on that occasion instead but he was sacked after just four months.
While the Swiss report claims Ancelotti is emerging as a 'favourite' for the Basel job this time around, it also notes that they're facing 'significant' competition from Rangers for his services.
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