Ex-Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst warned by Besiktas chiefs over ‘controversial’ tactics after Ajax hammering
GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST knows how to win in Europe.
Rangers fans will never forget how the Dutchman pulled off stunning upsets over the likes of Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig to reach the Europa League final in 2022.
But his chances of reaching the showdown in Bilbao next May look rather bleak after his side were hammered in their opening game on Thursday.
Van Bronckhorst, 49, is back in the competition with his new team Besiktas this year and could end up facing his old side Rangers should both clubs progress to the knockout rounds.
But it's not looking good for the Turkish side as they currently sit bottom of the pile in the new league format following their humiliating 4-0 defeat to Ajax.
They crashed to that defeat just hours after Philippe Clement led his Gers team to a 2-0 win over Malmo in Sweden.
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Van Bronckhorst was appointed Besiktas' new manager in June and has since enjoyed an unbeaten start to their league campaign, where they currently sit fourth.
But the same can't be said in the Europa League table.
And Besiktas chiefs held a meeting with the former Arsenal and Barcelona star to discuss the opening game defeat in Amsterdam.
Turkish outlet Kocaeli TV claim Van Bronckhorst was called in for a discussion with the club's hierarchy over what went wrong and how the team can move forward following the result.
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It is said the manager was given both support and a warning after the defeat, with bosses questioning the gaffer's tactics moving forward.
The report states that the board are not happy with the manager's defensive and 'controversial' style and have told him to change his ways for future European matches.
However, it's not all bad news for Van Bronckhorst as they still rallied around him and conveyed the message, "We are behind you, we have full confidence in you".
Van Bronckhort was also told he will have their full backing to improve his squad further in January.
It was a busy summer for the former Gers boss as he signed nine players to kickstart his reign in the hot-seat.
Besiktas return to action tomorrow night to face Kayseri away from home and the board hope their team will get back to winning ways and make it four straight wins in the league.
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