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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Smith

Rangers' new management team's UEFA Pro Licence situation explained

Rangers will only face UEFA Pro Licence issues should they appoint Steven Davis as a permanent manager.

The Ibrox hero has been put in interim charge at Ibrox after the club announced the sacking of Michael Beale yesterday.

Davis will lead the interim management team, including former Rangers midfielder Alex Rae, former Gers player and current coach Steven Smith, coach Brian Gilmour and goalkeeping coach Colin Stewart.

After Davis' interim appointment was confirmed, there was speculation regarding the UEFA Pro License, the UEFA coaching qualification required to manage a team in European competition or in any top-tier division.

However, the Pro Licence is only required for permanent managers (in post for more than 12 weeks), so this will not be an issue for Davis to manage in the Europa League unless Rangers look to appoint him on a permanent basis.

Ahead of the Europa League tie against Aris Limassol in Cyprus on Thursday night, the Ibrox club released a statement which outlined the changes.

It read: “Rangers can confirm it has parted company with men’s first-team manager Michael Beale.

“The Rangers board would like to put on record their thanks to Michael and his staff for their efforts since joining the club last November.

“Results this season have fallen short of what everyone connected to Rangers would expect.

“Therefore, the decision was reached today to terminate the contract of the manager, as well as the contracts of coaches Neil Banfield, Damian Matthew, Harry Watling and Jack Ade.

“The club is pleased to announce that Steven Davis will lead the interim management team.

“The team will consist of former Rangers player and hugely experienced coach Alex Rae, former player and current coach Steven Smith, coach Brian Gilmour and goalkeeping coach Colin Stewart.”

Rangers chairman John Bennett said: “I’d like to thank Michael for his dedicated work since he rejoined the club as manager last November.

“It is clear that results have fallen well short of the board’s, Michael’s and our supporters’ expectations.

“The search process for the new manager is already under way. I wish Steven Davis and the interim management team every success – they will remain in charge for as long as it takes to make the right appointment.”

Former midfielder Davis’ contract expired at the end of last season but the club had been letting him use the facilities for his rehabilitation following a serious knee injury.

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