Some of the noise around Rangers can get caught up in the wrong details, and the whole “should the manager be suited and booted?” debate is a prime example. Truth is, I’m far more bothered about whether the job’s being done properly than whether someone’s wearing a tie on the touchline. Standards matter, of course, but they’re football standards first.
Competence beats appearance every time
Football has always loved its traditions. There’s something old-school about the manager in a suit, notebook in hand, looking like he’s come straight from the boardroom. But society’s moved on, and most of us have seen that first-hand. Plenty of workplaces aren’t formal any more, and it doesn’t magically make people worse at their jobs.
Even big moments where the dress code used to be non-negotiable, weddings, funerals, the lot, you’ll see folk doing it their own way now. That’s not a moral judgement, it’s just reality. So when it comes to the Rangers dugout, I’d rather we didn’t get stuck in the weeds. If the coaching is sharp, the set-up is right, and the players know exactly what’s asked of them, then the outfit is background noise.
The modern game is departments, not one-man bands
The bigger point here is how the role itself has changed. Call him the manager, head coach, whatever you like, the modern job is rarely a one-man show. The game has grown arms and legs: recruitment structures, analysis teams, sports science, medical departments, performance staff, media demands. It’s a lot, and it’s not 1995 any more.
That doesn’t mean the coach shouldn’t have a say. He absolutely should. You want the person picking the team to have contact across the building and influence on how things are run day to day. But there’s a difference between having oversight and carrying every single responsibility on your back.
Let the coach coach, and support him properly
For me, the best model is simple: let the coach do what he’s good at. Training ground work, tactical prep, player management, getting a tune out of the squad. Then make sure the club has capable people around him to take pressure off him and his direct reports.
That’s how you get clarity and consistency. Less firefighting. Fewer distractions. And more focus on what actually decides games, preparation, decision-making, and players delivering on the pitch. If Rangers get that right, nobody at Ibrox will care what’s hanging on the coat peg in the office.
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Rangers News Views offers daily Glasgow Rangers coverage including match reaction, transfer analysis, SPFL context, tactical breakdowns and opinion-led articles written by supporters for supporters.
