RANGERS have sacked boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst after just 12 months in charge at Ibrox.
The Dutchman returned to Glasgow last November to succeed Steven Gerrard in the dugout following his move to Aston Villa.
But Herald and Times Sport can reveal that his reign has now been cut short after the Ibrox board made the decision to part ways with Van Bronckhorst halfway through his first full term in charge.
UPDATE: READ RANGERS CLUB STATEMENT
Van Bronckhorst looked to have been given a stay of execution as the first days of the World Cup break passed without note and he celebrated his anniversary in charge last Friday.
The situation has gathered pace over the weekend, however, and the 47-year-old has now been informed that his tenure has come to an end following a poor run that leaves Rangers all-but out of the Premiership title race.
It is understood that assistant manager Dave Vos, coach Roy Makaay and Van Bronckhorst's support staff will also be leaving Ibrox.
Supporters have become increasingly vocal as questions have been asked of chairman Douglas Park and Ross Wilson, the sporting director, in recent weeks and the decision to sack Van Bronckhorst comes just a fortnight before the AGM.
The former Light Blues midfielder guided Rangers to the Europa League final in Seville last season and lifted the Scottish Cup just days later as the long wait for silverware was finally ended.
UPDATE: READ RANGERS CLUB STATEMENT
The credit in the bank for those achievements has quickly run out, though, as Rangers have endured a difficult campaign at home and abroad and suffered a nightmare injury crisis that has undermined their season.
Van Bronckhorst delivered Champions League football with a play-off round victory over PSV Eindhoven but then saw his side humbled as they landed the unwanted title of the worst ever group stage outfit.
A record-breaking 7-1 defeat at home to Liverpool was the low point as Rangers scored just two goals and were outplayed and outclassed by the Reds, Napoli and Ajax.
Those continental embarrassments were the backdrop to a difficult domestic term as Rangers struggled to put together a sustained run of performances and results in the Premiership.
The situation escalated in the weeks before the World Cup break as points were dropped at home to Livingston and away to St Johnstone and St Mirren to leave Van Bronckhorst’s side trailing adrift of Old Firm rivals Celtic.
And that has now acted as the catalyst for change at Rangers as the Ibrox board turn their attentions to the next man at the helm ahead of the return to domestic action next month.
