What Rafa Benitez told ex-Rangers man about Ibrox job this summer
The Frenchman spent a year on loan in Govan, helping Rangers win the 2004/05 Scottish Premiership title, as he made 40 appearances across all competitions during his temporary spell.
Read more:
Recently speaking to RecordSport, Vignal lifted the lid on his conversations with both Benitez and Steven Gerrard about the Rangers job before Martin joined.
He said: "I met Rafa in Liverpool and we spoke about the Rangers job before Russell got it. He's not working at a club right now, he's with UEFA.
"But if Rangers would have considered him? Of course he would have been interested.
"I also spoke to Steven and joked with him. I asked if he'd got his apartment in Glasgow ready!
"All of those types of guys have been in the game a long time so I have to listen to them and be really humble. I trust myself and my ability. Hopefully my day will come."
Vignal is currently a performance manager at Latvian outfit RFS.
He one day wants to become an out-and-out boss: "Of course, I want to be a number one coach, but you have to wait and work for the right opportunity," he said.
"If you're lazy, you can't reach your target.
"My dream job? First, it would be to manage a big team in France. But then, of course, if I could manage a club like Rangers it would be amazing."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Man City complete the £34m signing of Rayan Cherki from Lyon - with five-year deal announced just as special transfer window for Club World Cup closed
Manchester City have completed the signing of Rayan Cherki for an initial £30.5m - rising to £34m - fee from Lyon. The France international becomes the club's third addition of the window following the arrivals of Rayan Ait-Nouri and Marcus Bettinelli. He has penned a five-year deal that will keep him at the Etihad until 2030. Pep Guardiola 's side have been working to complete a series of deals before Tuesday's 7pm transfer deadline for clubs participating in the Club World Cup. The 21-year-old will be eligible for selection for the side, whose campaign gets underway against Moroccan outfit Wydad AC on June 18. Cherki, who was named UEFA Europa League Young Player of the Season after finishing the top assist provider in the competition, said he is excited to develop his game under the City boss. 'This is a dream for me,' said Cherki. 'Honestly, to be joining a club like Manchester City and have the opportunity to make the next step in my career here is something very, very special. Football's most original new podcast: Whistleblowers Hosted by Gordon Smart, with ex-referee Mark Clattenburg and Mail journalist Ian Ladyman, this isn't another safe roundtable of punditry. It's football told differently - with insight, authority, and plenty of laughs. Listen wherever you get your podcasts now. 'I have worked so hard for this all my life. I love this sport, and I can't wait to develop further here in Manchester with Pep and his backroom staff. 'Everyone knows how good City are – they have been so successful for many years now. The responsibility to help the team continue winning is something I want to embrace. 'I would only leave Lyon for a project I really believe in and everything at City suggests I can develop my game and help the team be successful in the future. I can't wait to show City fans what I can do.' Director of Football Hugo Viana added: 'We're very happy to have Rayan at City. We want to bring top talent to the club, and he falls into that category. 'He's a player our scouts have watched for a long time, and we have all been impressed with his skill and creativity. I am convinced our fans will be excited to see him play. 'There's no doubt that he's now in the best place possible to develop further under Pep's guidance and I really believe he can become a world-class player with our support and direction.' City are close to completing the deal for AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, who has undergone a medical at the club. Reijnders, the energetic central midfielder, is joining for an initial £46.3m in what has been a fast start to Viana's first summer as director of football. He is also expected to be named in Guardiola's travelling party for the summer tournament.
BBC News
7 hours ago
- BBC News
Wright swaps Saints for 'good fit' Dark Blues
Dundee have become Drey Wright's third Scottish Premiership club, with the English utility man saying Dens Park felt "a good fit for me" after leaving relegated St 30-year-old, who played in defence, midfield and the wing during his time in Perth, has signed a two-year becomes new head coach Steven Pressley's second signing of the day following the arrival of compatriot Paul Digby following his exit from Cambridge told Dundee's website: "I'm excited about the direction the club is going."Having started his career with Colchester United, the Londoner began the first of two spells with St Johnstone in 2018 and then had two seasons with Hibernian before returning to season, he made 38 appearances, all but one as a starter, as Saints finished bottom of the midfielder Charlie Reilly has signed a new one-year contract with Dundee despite being restricted to eight substitute appearances last arriving from Albion Rovers in June 2023, the 23-year-old Scot has had loan spells to Arbroath and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, for whom he only managed one appearance at the start of the last told the club website: "The past two years haven't gone the way I wanted in terms of injuries and game time, but hopefully this year I can show the best of me."
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘You'll never experience anything like it' – Leeds insider tells Rangers fans to get excited about Paraag Marathe input
STUART DALLAS has told Paraag Marathe leading Leeds to success will be nothing compared to restoring Rangers to glory. Marathe was appointed Gers vice-chairman after his 49ers Enterprises were part of the club's US takeover. 2 New Rangers vice-chairman Paraag Marathe Credit: PA 2 Leeds hero Stuart Dallas is a boyhood Rangers fan Credit: Getty Their running of the Elland Road side saw them land promotion back to the Premier League after being crowned Championship champs. Leeds legend Dallas - forced to retire through injury last year - is a boyhood Gers fan so knows just how much it would mean for the Ibrox side to start lifting silverware again. Dallas, 34, said: 'Obviously Rangers are built on success. They have to get back to winning trophies and they don't settle for second best. 'I've said to Paraag before that if you get it right at Rangers you'll never experience anything like it. 'They've done that at Leeds but if you can get it right at both clubs, it would be incredible. 'I've spoken to him about Rangers. I've exchanged messages. I've seen him at some games towards the end of the season when there were rumours of the takeover going through. 'These are exciting times. It's a big summer for everybody involved because Rangers haven't won enough trophies in recent years. 'We know that in Scotland second best isn't good enough. Following Rangers myself, I know what it means to the fans and I'm excited for what's ahead. 'They've got to find a way of getting back to competing on all fronts, not just in Europe. They've got to win trophies first and foremost. 'I think both clubs have huge potential. Having large fan bases goes without saying. But if they get it right at both clubs, it's going to be big.' Russell Martin's to-do list in first week as Rangers boss PLUS Lawrence Shankland and Greg Taylor latest Dallas played over 250 games for Leeds across a nine-year spell but has also lived through the tough times as a Gers supporter. He added: 'I don't know how much involvement they will have at Rangers but it's been well documented they are involved. 'What I do know is at Leeds they're a very well run club. These guys are shrewd operators. They know exactly what they want. 'It can only be a positive for Rangers. I'm excited to see where Rangers go with it. I know the work they've put in at Leeds and how they've rallied around the club again and got it back to the Premier League. 'They're good people within it and it's exciting times to be a Rangers fan. I think they've gone through the mill in recent years. Finally, they've got an ownership that will be good for the club.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
