Just as Rangers were beginning to find a semblance of stability, two of the club’s most influential staff members have been linked with the exit door.
New Gers manager Philippe Clement has somewhat steadied the ship at Ibrox with the Belgian’s appointment coming after a complete overhaul of the club’s hierarchy.
The summer saw a substantial change of the playing squad – with this summer to see similar – and Michael Beale’s sacking then saw an overhaul of the management team.
The club’s recruitment set up has also just been concluded as Philippe Clement’s ‘Belgian colony’ begins to build in the background at Ibrox.
But just as things had finally begun to settle this season, it appears two of Rangers’ non-playing staff have been making waves in the Netherlands and England respectively.
Zeb Jacobs linked with Feyenoord
When Zeb Jacobs joined Rangers, he was a fresh-faced youth coach with a visionary approach to the game which had built a big reputation at Royal Antwerp.
Rangers had snared a relative unknown back in late 2021, Jacobs coming into Ibrox as the club’s Head of Academy coaching.
In the summer, Zeb’s early success in the role led to the talented young academy guru being appointed as the club’s Academy Director at the tender age of 29.
But Zeb Jacobs’ reputation in football is already building with Rangers bracing themselves for interest from Eredivisie giants Feyenoord.
According to 1908, Feyenoord are set to approach Zeb Jacobs this week with a view to replacing Rini Coolen as the club’s Head of Academy.
The report claims that an English side has already approached Jacobs – who has a notice clause in his Rangers contract – but that the Dutch side are leading the pack.
According to the Dutch report Feyenoord hope to conclude a deal which will see the young Belgian youth football expert move to Rotterdam at the end of the season.
Rangers coach wanted by Sunderland
Zeb Jacobs also isn’t the only Rangers staffer who is being linked with the Ibrox exit door.
Alex Rae actually joined the Rangers backroom staff before Philippe Clement, forming part of Steven Davis’ interim team at Ibrox.
But with the ex-Rangers midfielder and staunch Ibrox fan making an early impression on the Belgian, Rae has stuck around.
Rangers aren’t the only side that the former Dundee and St Mirren manager has an affiliation with however, with one of his former teams south of the border reportedly interested
According to ex-Sunderland star Michael Gray, who was talking with Rangers legend Ally McCoist on TalkSPORT, Alex Rae could be a target for the Tynesiders.
The Rangers coach played with the Black Cats for five years as a player and has apparently been internally discussed as a potential successor to ex-Gers boss Michael Beale.
Mike Dodds is in interim charge of the Stadium of Light club until the end of the season.
“(The season) has just not been good at all,” said Gray.
“I think they had everyone back onside with Tony Mowbray which had been a bit of a problem for them.
“When he left and they tried to bring in the right guy – it didn’t work out for Michael Beale – I think you’ll know a little bit about him Coisty.
“It just didn’t happen for him, he wasn’t the right fit – Mike Dodds is in there until the end of the season.
“But I tell you who got a mention the other day was Alex Rae, who is working at Rangers right now.”
Alex Rae played for two seasons at Rangers between 2004 and 2006, famously winning the league title on the final day of the season on Helicopter Sunday in 2005.
If there is anyone to reinforce Philippe Clement’s message that the title race ain’t over ‘till it’s over, it’s probably the former Ibrox midfielder.
