When Philippe Clement took over from Mick Beale at Rangers late last year, he inherited a squad of players who’s confidence had hit rock bottom, and who’s hopes of fighting for the Scottish Premiership title appeared to have gone up in smoke by the end of October.
So while the 2023/24 campaign might only have ended with one trophy rather than three – Rangers tripping over the final hurdle in the title race and losing the Cup final at Hampden Park – it is all credit to Clement that his side were still in the mix for a domestic treble by the time May rolled around.
The towering Belgian dragged his charges off the canvas and got them punching again, lasting a couple more rounds in the ring even if Celtic would eventually land the knockout blow.
Stanislav Genchev will be hoping to make a similarly immediate impact after being hired as the new head coach of Bulgarian giants Levski Sofia this week.
Is Rangers’ move for Levski Sofia’s Jose Cordoba dead?
Despite being the second-most successful team in Bulgarian football history – behind only CSKA Sofia – Levski finished a disappointing fourth in the top-flight last season.
Genchev’s task will not be made any easier, however, by the seemingly inevitable departure of Bulgaria’s 2023/24 Defender of the Year.
Rangers appear to have cooled their interest in a £3.2 million deal for Jose Cordoba but there may be a few twists and turns left in a saga which has rumbled on for a fortnight already.
As far as Genchev is concerned – confirming that Cordoba is currently in talks with an as-yet unnamed club –the Panama international will take some replacing.
“Jose Cordoba is not sold yet,” Genchev tells Bulgarian publication Gerena. “(There are) talks with a club, but no deal yet. It is not pleasant for any coach to have his best defender sold.
“Cordoba is still a Levski player. If he is sold, we have to find a player in his place. I know from experience that one of the most difficult things is to find a central defender, a left-sided player.”
Glasgow giants turn to Thomas Galdames
Rangers entered advanced talks with Cordoba in mid-May. The 22-year-old could end up at Norwich City in England’s second tier instead, however, although the reports surrounding a move to Carrow Road are rather conflicting.
Rangers, for the time being, appear to be shifting their focus towards the versatile Thomas Galdames, who signed off in style with two assists in what could be a farewell appearance for Godoy Cruz in the Copa Argentina on Wednesday.
“He has had a great year. I know I’m going to lose him,” Godoy Cruz coach Daniel Oldra sighs.
“But football has those things. Let (players) leave with love for Godoy Cruz. That means they have been happy here.”
