Rangers have sacked manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
The Dutchman, 47, lasted 368 days in the job and took Rangers to within a penalty shootout of winning a major European trophy, yet that was not enough to stay in charge of the Glasgow club. Rangers have slipped nine points behind bitter rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race and the board have decided it's time for a change.
Rangers confirmed on Monday morning: "Rangers Football Club confirms today it has parted company with manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst. The board would like to put on record sincere thanks to Gio for all his efforts since his appointment as manager."
Rangers chairman Douglas Park added: "I want to thank Gio for the hard work he has put in over the last 12 months and, especially, the achievements of taking the club to the Europa League final and winning the Scottish Cup last season.
"Unfortunately, recent results have not met neither our nor Gio's expectations, and we have taken this difficult decision today. Everyone at Rangers wishes Gio every success in the future."
Van Bronckhorst was appointed as Steven Gerrard's successor at Ibrox in November 2021. Although Rangers failed to retain their Scottish Premiership title last season, they did win the Scottish Cup and defied the bookies by reaching the Europa League final.
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Van Bronckhorst's side were defeated on penalties by Eintracht Frankfurt after Aaron Ramsey missed his spot kick. Rangers enjoyed a memorable run and enjoyed some famous nights at Ibrox - beating Borussia Dortmund, Red Star Belgrade, Braga and RB Leipzig.
Yet that was as good as it got for Van Bronckhorst. Rangers have won just two thirds of their Scottish Premiership fixtures this season and lost 4-0 at Celtic in September. They also lost all six of their Champions League games - scoring two and conceding 22.
Former Rangers manager Graeme Souness urged the Rangers board to stick by Van Bronckhorst just two days ago. As quoted by BBC Sport, Souness said: "Be patient... Stick with your team, stick with the manager."
Souness added: "I am never comfortable talking about a manager losing their job... I know how tough it is to be a manager, I know how tough it is to manage in this city and Giovanni van Bronckhorst would have known that coming into it."
Van Bronckhost won 106 senior caps for the Netherlands and was part of the squad that reached the World Cup final in 2010. He played for the likes of Rangers, Arsenal and Barcelona during his career and won 15 trophies - including the Champions League.
Van Bronckhost has previously managed Feyenoord and Chinese side Guangzhou. He won five trophies during his successful spell in charge of Feyenoord between 2015 and 2019 - including the Eredivisie title with Liverpool legend Dirk Kuyt leading the team.
