Barry Ferguson, the legendary Barry Ferguson who once lifted the Scottish Premier League trophy as captain, is back at Rangers Football Club — this time in the dugout. Just weeks after a shocking 2-0 home defeat to St Mirren Football Club and a humiliating Scottish Cup exit to Queen's Park Football Club, the Rangers board moved decisively, sacking Philippe Clement and turning to the man who knows Ibrox better than almost anyone alive. Ferguson, 47, was appointed interim manager in February 2025, with his contract running until the end of the 2024/25 season. The move isn’t just about results — it’s about soul. The fans, bruised and angry, needed someone who’d bled for the club. Ferguson did. And now, he’s being asked to save it.
Why Ferguson? The Ibrox Insider
The Rangers board didn’t pick Ferguson because he’s a familiar face. They picked him because he’s a living archive of the club’s modern glory. He played under Walter Smith, Dick Advocaat, and Alex McLeish. He was captain during the 1998/99 Treble season, lifted the league and cup in 2000, and again in 2009. He played 450 games. He won 10 major trophies. He was SFWA Footballer of the Year in 2000. He’s not just a former player — he’s a symbol. And after Clement’s tenure collapsed under the weight of poor tactics and a fractured locker room, the board knew: they needed someone who could reconnect the club to its identity.Ferguson’s own managerial record is humble — 12 wins in 37 games at East Stirlingshire Football Club between 2021 and 2022. But that’s not the story. The story is what happened after: three years as a pundit for BBC Scotland and Sky Sports, where he dissected games with a sharp, unfiltered insight. He didn’t just watch football. He remembered it. He understood pressure. He knew what it felt like to lose a European final — the 2008 UEFA Cup final in Manchester, where FC Zenit Saint Petersburg crushed Rangers 2-0. He knows what it takes to come back.
First Test: Fenerbahce and the Weight of Expectation
Ferguson’s first match as manager will be the UEFA Europa League last-16 tie against Fenerbahce Sports Club of Istanbul. It’s his debut in European management — and it’s a brutal one. Fenerbahce, founded in 1907, are Turkish giants with a squad brimming with Premier League experience and a hunger to make a deep run. Rangers, meanwhile, are out of the Champions League and need Europa League points to survive financially. Advancing to the quarter-finals could mean €5.8 million in prize money and crucial UEFA coefficient points that impact future draws. The pressure? It’s not just on the pitch. It’s on the balance sheet."I’ll take inspiration from Smith, Advocaat and McLeish," Ferguson told STV News. It’s not just a quote — it’s a mission statement. He’s not trying to be them. He’s trying to channel their DNA. Smith’s discipline. Advocaat’s structure. McLeish’s man-management. He’s not a tactician with a fancy xG model. He’s a leader who’s lived through the highs and lows of this club. And that’s exactly what Ibrox needs right now.
The Fanbase and the Financial Stakes
Clement’s downfall wasn’t just about results. It was about disconnection. Fans felt he didn’t understand the culture. Ferguson does. He remembers the chants. He remembers the 1999 Treble parade down Sauchiehall Street. He remembers the silence after the 2008 final. He’s the bridge between the club’s golden eras and its current crisis.And the stakes? They’re higher than ever. Rangers, valued at £150 million, are 15 points behind Celtic Football Club in the league. The title is gone. But the Europa League? That’s the lifeline. Missing out on European football next season would mean a loss of tens of millions in revenue — and a potential exodus of talent. Ferguson’s job isn’t to win the league. It’s to keep the lights on.
Eras Night: A Return to Roots
In a touching nod to the past, Rangers announced Eras - Captain's Night: An Evening with Barry FergusonIbrox Stadium. The event, scheduled for June 2025, will see Ferguson sit down with fans to recount his time under Smith, Advocaat, and McLeish. It’s more than nostalgia. It’s therapy. For the club. For the fans. For Ferguson himself."This isn’t about rewriting history," he said in a recent interview. "It’s about remembering what made this place great — and making sure we don’t forget it again."
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Philippe Clement sacked despite a decent start to the season?
Clement was dismissed after back-to-back defeats to Queen’s Park and St Mirren — results that exposed tactical rigidity and a disconnect with the squad. The 1-0 loss to Queen’s Park at Hampden Park was particularly damaging, as it was Rangers’ first-ever Scottish Cup exit to a lower-league side since 1967. Fan unrest escalated rapidly, and the board concluded Clement had lost the dressing room and the support of the Ibrox faithful.
What’s Ferguson’s track record as a manager?
Ferguson managed East Stirlingshire for nine months in 2021–2022, winning just 12 of 37 games. His side finished 9th in Scottish League One. But his real value lies in his deep institutional knowledge of Rangers, his leadership experience as captain, and his media analysis over the past three years — which has earned him respect for his tactical insight and understanding of the club’s culture.
Why is the Fenerbahce match so critical for Rangers?
Rangers are out of the Champions League and trailing Celtic by 15 points in the league. Progressing past Fenerbahce in the Europa League could bring €5.8 million in prize money and vital UEFA coefficient points, securing better seeding in future draws. Missing out could mean no European football in 2025/26 — a financial blow estimated at £20–30 million and a major setback for recruitment.
How does Ferguson’s playing history help him now?
Ferguson played under three of Rangers’ most successful managers: Smith, Advocaat, and McLeish. He won five league titles, two Scottish Cups, and three League Cups. He captained the team through its last domestic double in 2009. That experience gives him credibility with players, fans, and staff — something Clement never fully earned. He speaks the language of Ibrox.
Is Ferguson likely to stay beyond this season?
His contract runs only until the end of the 2024/25 season, but his performance in the Europa League and his ability to re-energize the squad will heavily influence the board’s decision. If he guides Rangers to the quarter-finals and improves league form, he’ll be a strong candidate for the permanent role — especially if the club wants to avoid another external hire with no Ibrox roots.
What’s the significance of the 'Eras - Captain's Night' event?
It’s a deliberate effort to reconnect the club with its history. By having Ferguson reflect on his time with Smith, Advocaat, and McLeish, Rangers are signaling that identity matters as much as results. The event also serves as a fundraising opportunity and a way to rebuild emotional ties with fans who feel alienated after years of instability. It’s not just a Q&A — it’s a homecoming.
