Latest news with #BillyDodds
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Did 'players fail Ferguson' or was he 'not manager material'?
Following the confirmation that Barry Ferguson is leaving Rangers, we asked for your views on his brief what some of you said:John: Ferguson was put in a difficult position and did well with what he had to play with. Unfortunately we all know this squad just isn't good enough. Although he's leaving the manager's role, I hope they make some space for him in a coaching capacity as he has a lot to offer and is a potential Gers manager in the Lots of people are saying Ferguson did well with the tools he had, which I agree with, but so did Philippe Clement. They had the same set of players and got the same inconsistent play and results. The team is good at counter-attacking but not good at trying to break down a low block. That is the conundrum for the new manager, to be able to do Ferguson plugged the holes in a sinking ship, but that's all. His press conferences were both refreshing and alarming when he kept saying "my team" and seemed to be a "me" instead of "we". He also refused to give fringe players a try and was more interested in looking good himself with mediocre wins than trying out players for next season. I'm glad he didn't get the job I thought Barry, Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor did a decent job given the tools he had to work with. These players in a number of cases have been responsible for a number of managers losing their jobs. The highlights were Fenerbahce away and the penalties at Ibrox and the win at Parkhead. I felt Barry and the boys answered the call from Rangers in difficult circumstances and showed what the club means to each of them. Alan: Not manager material at such a big club but room for improvement, could be a good The right decision in the end. Ferguson's chances of getting the job permanently were already slim. He didn't get a reaction out of the players who served up the same dross under Clement. His time as manager will be forgotten about I feel for Barry. He wanted the job so badly and was let down so many times by a group of players who have been inconsistent all season. Barry didn't fail, the players did. He showed enough in his gameplan and team selections, plus the ability to change things during a game, to convince me at least he could have done the job permanently. However, the decision has been made and I will get behind the new manager. I personally would have Stevie Gerrard or Gio van Bronckhorst back.
Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Times
Barry Ferguson and his staff depart Rangers
Barry Ferguson's hopes of staying at Rangers as permanent manager have been dashed after it was revealed that he had left Ibrox following the final game of the season, a 2-2 draw with Hibernian. The former club captain was handed the reins for the remainder of the campaign in the wake of Philippe Clement's sacking back in February, and right up until his post-match press conference at Easter Road, he was insistent that he still wished to be considered for the role full-time. However, some 24 hours after that game brought down the curtain on another largely disappointing season for the Govan outfit, it was confirmed that Ferguson had left the club alongside his assistants Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor. The 47-year-old former
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barry Ferguson leaves role as Rangers interim head coach
Interim head coach Barry Ferguson has left Rangers as the club step up their search for a new boss. The Gers have confirmed the 47-year-old, who was asked to take over until the end of the season in February following Philippe Clement's exit, has departed along with Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor following Saturday's 2-2 final-day draw at Hibernian. A statement on the club's official website said: 'Everyone at Rangers Football Club would like to pass on their heartfelt thanks to Barry Ferguson and his staff, with yesterday's game at Hibernian being their final match in charge. 💙 Everyone at Rangers Football Club would like to pass on their heartfelt thanks to Barry Ferguson and his staff, with yesterday's game at Hibernian being their final match in charge. 👉 Read More | — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) May 18, 2025 'Club legend Ferguson answered the call in the club's hour of need back in February and has overseen several memorable moments during his time in charge, not least progression to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League and a terrific victory at Parkhead. 'A Hall of Fame member, Ferguson will now leave this role along with Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor, with enormous gratitude and best wishes of everyone at Ibrox for their efforts in these last few months.' Ferguson took charge of 15 games in all, winning six and drawing five as the club he represented with such distinction as a player finished second behind champions Celtic, but 17 points adrift. He said: 'I've already lived the dream as a player and as captain of Rangers and to do so as head coach in these last three months has been an enormous honour for me. 'There have been some ups and downs, but I have loved this experience and given it my all throughout. 'I want to thank Neil, Billy and Allan, the three staff members who came in with me, and all the other staff who have supported me during my time in charge. Indeed from everyone at the training centre and at Ibrox, the backing I have received has been phenomenal. 'Above all, I want to thank our supporters. There is no doubt this has been a difficult season, but the backing the team and I have continued to receive in spite of that has been incredible. 'I have said, no matter how this period panned out, I would always remain a committed supporter of the club and I look forward to remaining a Rangers ambassador. 'I wish whomever becomes the new manager, every success in the job.' Chief executive Patrick Stewart thanked Ferguson and his staff for their work and revealed the hunt for a permanent replacement for Clement was 'progressing well'. Stewart said: 'Barry, Neil, Billy and Allan all had distinguished playing careers with Rangers and they have all enhanced their standing with the club for their work since February. The reception they received at Ibrox on Wednesday night was fully merited and I know meant so much to Barry and his team. 'The search for our new head coach is progressing well, and we look forward to concluding our process in the coming period.'
New York Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Rangers confirm Barry Ferguson departure after three months as interim manager
Rangers have confirmed interim manager Barry Ferguson will not continue in his position beyond this season. The former Rangers captain was appointed in February for the remaining three months of the campaign, following the dismissal of Philippe Clement at Ibrox. Rangers were 13 points behind Celtic at the time of his appointment, with their Glasgow rivals stretching their lead to a 17-point margin by the conclusion of the campaign on Saturday. Advertisement Ferguson, 47, saw his side collect four points from their two Old Firm matches and they progressed past Fenerbahce in the Europa League round-of-16 before falling to Athletic Club at the quarter-final stage. However, he oversaw just six victories in his 15 matches at the helm and two in the final nine matches of the campaign, which finished trophyless for Rangers. 💙 Everyone at Rangers Football Club would like to pass on their heartfelt thanks to Barry Ferguson and his staff, with yesterday's game at Hibernian being their final match in charge. 👉 Read More | — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) May 18, 2025 Ferguson's coaching staff of Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor, all former players at Ibrox, will also depart. Celtic won their fourth Scottish title in a row and 13 of the last 14, with Rangers sole title in that timeframe in the 2020-21 season. Ferguson scored 60 goals in 431 first-team appearances across two spells at the Glasgow club during his playing career, which encompassed more than 700 senior games. The former central midfielder previously had a caretaker spell at English club Blackpool in 2014 before permanent stints at Scottish lower league clubs Clyde, Kelty Hearts and Alloa Athletic, the latter of whom he left in February 2022. ()
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Rangers 3 Dundee United 1: If this was goodbye then at least Barry Ferguson got to say farewell to Ibrox with another rare home win
On what was a night of farewells at Ibrox, Rangers roused themselves from their end-of-season slumber to give Barry Ferguson the parting gift of three points and a victory over Dundee United. This will surely be the last time that Ferguson takes charge of Rangers in front of the club's own supporters before a new manager is appointed in the summer once the takeover is completed. Despite the fact he is unlikely to be offered the job long-term, Ferguson can bow out on the back of successive home victories following the 4-0 hammering of Aberdeen last weekend. Towards the end, despite the fact the stadium was half-empty, Ferguson's name rung out as fans sounded their appreciation for the job he has done in difficult circumstances. Once the full-time whistle had sounded, he and his backroom staff - Billy Dodds, Neil McCann and Allan McGregor - walked together around the pitch to applaud the supporters. But they weren't the only ones who were probably saying their goodbyes to the Ibrox crowd. Several of these players are likely to move on to pastures new come the summer. Vaclav Cerny, one of the club's best players this season, looked slightly emotional when he was subbed off and left the field with 10 minutes to play. Pausing and taking his time to applaud all four sides of the stadium, it was a clear indication that Cerny probably won't return from Wolfsburg next season. What the future holds for several more of this squad is anyone's guess. But with Andrew Cavenagh once again watching from the stands, this squad is likely to be unrecognisable in a few months' time. What to do with Cyriel Dessers will be one of the key questions facing the new manager and owners once they take charge. Much-maligned across his two seasons in Glasgow, Dessers scored twice last night and now has 50 goals for Rangers. Ferguson chose to recall Jack Butland in goal. After an error-strewn season, the English goalkeeper had been dropped after the 2-0 home defeat to Hibs a month ago. Hamza Igamane was also brought in to start on the back of his impressive display off the bench against Aberdeen last Sunday, where he scored the best goal of the game in a 4-0 rout. United, meanwhile, arrived in Glasgow seeking to bounce back from a 2-0 loss home defeat to St Mirren at the weekend, a third successive defeat which seriously dented their chances of third place. Dave Richards came in to make his first league start in goal this season as boss Jim Goodwin made four changes in total to the United team. As was the case against Aberdeen just a few days earlier, the number of empty seats around Ibrox was really quite striking as kick-off approached. It had strong vibes of the Scotland national team around 2019, when barely 20,000 fans were turning up at Hampden for games against Kazakhstan and San Marino. Mind you, nobody would blame Rangers fans for losing interest and being so disillusioned at what they have witnessed this season. The game started as the sun dipped over the top of the Broomloan Stand, with Rangers knocking the ball around with a decent tempo in the early stages. Igamane flashed a header wide of the target from a James Tavernier cross on 14 minutes, but it was United who took the lead shortly after. Butland had spread himself well to make a good initial save from Sam Dalby, but Rangers were punished from the resultant corner. After Ryan Strain had swung the ball in, Sam Cleall-Harding rose above everyone to glance a powerful header into the top corner. It was woeful defending from Rangers from a set-piece, with young United centre-back Cleall-Harding essentially rising unchallenged in the middle of the box. But United's lead wouldn't last long as Rangers restored parity thanks to Dessers scoring his fourth goal in as many games. Jefte swung in an inviting cross from the left and Dessers rose to plant a header beyond Richards for his 27th goal of the campaign. It was fairly even for the rest of the first half, with Mohamed Diomande flashing a shot just wide of the target in the moments before the break. Diomande was probably the brightest spark in the Rangers midfield and again went close in the early stages of the second half after another driving run forward. United carried a decent enough threat on the counter but they were struggling to find a way of troubling Butland. As the second half wore on, Rangers looked totally devoid of ideas and creativity in the final third, with Ferguson looking towards his bench. But, as the likes of Danilo and Oscar Cortes warmed up on the touchline, it has long been obvious over recent weeks that Ferguson just doesn't rate them or believe in them. Tom Lawrence and Nedim Bajrami were two other options, but neither of them can claim to have enjoyed a particularly stellar season. Dessers screamed for a penalty when he tangled with Declan Gallagher, as did Diomande when he was felled by Vicko Sevelj on 73 minutes. Referee Calum Scott initially waved away both appeals, only to be referred to the VAR monitor for the foul on Diomande. After awarding the spot-kick, Dessers stepped up and sent Richards the wrong way to notch his 50th goal for Rangers since joining the club two years ago. Just two minutes later, Rangers sealed the victory when Nico Raskin burst forward from midfield and scored the best goal of the game. Cerny cleverly delayed his pass from the left and found Raskin inside on the underlap, the Belgian midfielder rifling the ball high into the net past Richards for 3-1 to wrap it all up. United now go into the final day of the season knowing they need to beat Aberdeen to secure European football.
