NI captain Steven Davis named Rangers interim manager after Michael Beale is sacked
Steven Davis
Rangers FC have announced that Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis will lead the Scottish side’s management team on an interim basis.
The news was announced on Sunday evening, in the same statement which confirmed that boss Michael Beale and his backroom staff have been sacked.
In a press release, the club said: “Results this season have fallen short of what everyone connected to Rangers would expect.
“Therefore, the decision was reached today to terminate the contract of the manager, as well as the contracts of coaches Neil Banfield, Damian Matthew, Harry Watling and Jack Ade.
“The team will consist of former Rangers player and hugely experienced coach Alex Rae, former Rangers player and current coach Steven Smith, coach Brian Gilmour, and goalkeeping coach, Colin Stewart.”
Rangers chairman, John Bennett, commented: “I’d like to thank Michael for his dedicated work since he re-joined the club as manager last November.
“It is clear that results have fallen well short of the board’s, Michael’s and our supporters’ expectations.
“The search process for the new manager is already underway. I wish Steven Davis and the interim management team every success - they will remain in charge for as long as it takes to make the right appointment.”
A Cullybackey native, the NI skipper made his professional debut for Aston Villa at the age of 19 in 2004. Now in his 20th his season in top-flight football, this will be the first time in his career that he’s taken on a managerial role.
It was only at the end of this August that Michael Beale had said that a decision on Davis’ future at the club would be made around Christmas.
Now, the English boss has been given the axe himself, after a defeat at home to Aberdeen left the
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