Ex-Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst offered European managerial return after saying no to Saudi Arabia switch
FORMER Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has rejected the chance to return to management by turning down an offer from struggling Utrecht.
The Dutch coach was sacked from the Ibrox club last November after falling nine points behind Celtic and a disastrous Champions League campaign that set unwanted records after six defeats.
But he led Rangers to a Europa League Final and a Scottish Cup success the previous season.
Van Bronckhorst revealed last month he had turned down an offer to join the footballing exodus to Saudi Arabia.
And he was set to be offered the chance of taking charge of Utrecht, who axed manager Michael Silberbauer last week after a disastrous start to the Eredivisie.
But the former Ibrox and Feyenoord boss has made clear he is only interested in managing in Europe and not in his homeland again.
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Van Bronckhorst said: "My ambition at the moment is not to manage in the Netherlands, but abroad.
"I will say that I found the decision to sack Michael Silberbauer so early in the season after just three league games very odd.
"Everyone at the club has to take responsibility, the players especially.
"But it seems to me far too soon to be sacking a coach at this stage of the season."
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Van Bronckhorst is yet to return to management since his dismissal from Gers last November.
He was linked with another job in his homeland at FC Twente and was also tipped to be the next manager of the Netherlands at one point by fellow Oranje legend Frank Rijkaard.
His successor at Ibrox, Michael Beale, is facing pressure of his own now after failure to qualify for the Champions League and a 1-0 loss to Celtic in the opening Old Firm derby of the season.
But Beale is determined to win back the fans who are turning on him.
He said: “Listen, I think the team can win the fans back by winning games of football and that is what they have to do.
“I understand the frustration with the fans. It is with the shirt.
“We have to dust ourselves down. We have two weeks now to work on the training pitch it is a good period for us barring the internationals who are away."
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