Andrea Pirlo receives unexpected endorsement for Rangers FC job

US Salernitana v UC Sampdoria  - Serie B
US Salernitana v UC Sampdoria - Serie B / Ivan Romano/GettyImages
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Rangers FC are beginning to fall behind Celtic FC and Aberdeen in the race to win the Scottish Premiership. As a result, there are rumblings that a former Juventus player could be a candidate for the job should the club decide to make a managerial change.

There are reports suggesting that Rangers could be close to agreeing a deal for Andrea Pirlo to replace Philippe Clement, who is under growing pressure to keep his job.

Pirlo's last managerial stint was with Sampdoria, who were recently relegated to Serie B. In his first season, he managed to secure a seventh-place finish.

However, the team struggled at the start of the 2024-25 season, earning just one point from their first three matches, which led to Pirlo's dismissal on August 29.

Meanwhile, Philippe Clement is feeling the heat at Ibrox as his team has fallen six points behind Celtic and Aberdeen at the top of the SPFL following a disappointing 1-0 loss to Kilmarnock.

Former player backs Andrea Pirlo for Rangers job

US Salernitana v UC Sampdoria  - Serie B
US Salernitana v UC Sampdoria - Serie B / Simone Arveda/GettyImages

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has mentioned that the Italian is among several big names being considered for the job. He believes Andrea Pirlo is his top choice for the position, emphasizing that Pirlo's playing style would appeal to those at Ibrox and that he still has potential for growth as a manager.

“I have no doubt Rangers could attract a top manager,” Robinson told Football Insider. “Look at the managers in the running for the job now: Carlos Corberan at West Brom, Michael Carrick at Middlesbrough, Graham Potter, who’s out of work.

“Andrea Pirlo is one that I like; he was relieved from his job at Sampdoria and was the manager of Juventus for a while. He’s got a lot to give and a lot of room to grow in the game. I have full confidence that Rangers could attract a name like Pirlo to Ibrox.

“When you look at the job he did at Sampdoria, in a lower league and a struggling team, I like the way his teams play and I like the way they’re coached.”

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