Paul Le Guen stepped down Thursday as manager of Rangers after a mere seven months in charge of the Glasgow giants.
The Frenchman’s departure came just days after he dropped skipper Barry Ferguson from his side.
A statement issued by the club said Le Guen had left by mutual consent.
Second-placed Rangers are currently a huge 17 points behind Scottish Premier League leaders and arch-rivals Celtic.
”Rangers Football Club announced by mutual agreement with manager Paul Le Guen that he will relinquish his position as manager of the first team with immediate effect,” said a statement on the club’s official website.
Gers chairperson Sir David Murray added: ”Having met with Paul it was clear that in the interests of the club and all concerned we agreed jointly to him stepping down as manager.
”We are clearly disappointed with our current circumstances and will now focus on securing a suitable replacement. I would like to wish Paul and his management team well in the future.”
Le Guen added: ”I am disappointed to leave the club, but I think it is the best solution for all concerned. I would like to thank all the people who helped me and my team during my spell in Scotland.
”In particular I would like to thank the directors who at all times gave me their total support.”
Scotland international Ferguson was thought to have played his last game for the club after being stripped of the captaincy and dropped for Tuesday’s win at Motherwell.
After that match, Le Guen effectively accused the midfielder of trying to undermine his authority, saying: ”When you feel adversity from outside the camp then it’s OK but when it comes from within, then it is a problem.”
Le Guen was hugely successful in French football with Lyon, helping them win three successive Ligue 1 titles before he arrived at Ibrox, but he struggled to adapt to Scottish football. — AFP
