Latest news with #Westerlo
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Issame Charai in illuminating Rangers claim as he makes management claim free of arrogance
Charai is now the boss at Westerlo after bringing the curtain down on his short Ibrox stint Former Rangers No.2 Issame Charai reckons he knows all about pressure as he prepares to start his first management job at Westerlo - because of the furious Ibrox reactions to a draw. The Moroccan coach has just been appointed as manager of the Belgian outfit after leaving Rangers earlier this month following the appointment of Russell Martin. It's his first job in club football, having previously only managed Morocco Under 23s and being assistant manager at a variety of clubs - including a five-month spell at Rangers where he a lieutenant for Philippe Clement and interim boss Barry Ferguson. And he is well aware of what to expect because of his experience in Scotland. He said: "Trust me, I have no problem dealing with pressure. At Rangers, if we had only drawn 1-1, we were criticised all over the stadium. "In Morocco, you couldn't leave the ground because of the angry fans if you lost. I have total confidence in myself. "Without being arrogant, I was ready for it for a while. In recent years, several clubs have called me, both domestically and abroad. However, I never had the feeling that it was the right project at the time. "The experience that I gained in the meantime at Rangers, Strasbourg, the Moroccan Under 23s has all been invaluable. "I have been a coach for 14 years. It was time to go my own way." You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here. Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Former Rangers coach becomes manager of Belgian club
Issame Charai, who left Ibrox last week, has been appointed by the Belgian side, according to journalist Sacha Tovolieri. The Moroccan coach was brought in as a No.2 to Philippe Clement at the start of the year. When Clement was sacked, Charai stayed on to work under interim boss Barry Ferguson. However, the 43-year-old has now decided to move on following the permanent appointment of Russell Martin, who brought in his own backroom team. Journalist Sacha Tovolieri claimed it was a done deal on a two-year contract. He said: "Issame Charaï's the new head coach of Westerlo in Pro League. "Agreement found between all parties in order to make it happen. "Two years contract." Rangers confirmed Charai's departure last week. A statement from the club said: "Rangers can today confirm the departure of Issame Charai from the men's first-team coaching staff. "Charai, who joined the club in January to assist Philippe Clement, remained on the coaching staff through Barry Ferguson's spell in charge. "However, following the appointment of Russell Martin as head coach, it has been mutually agreed for Charai to move on with the best wishes of everyone at Rangers." CEO Patrick Stewart expressed his gratitude to Charai for his work at the club, saying: "I want to place on record the sincere thanks of both the club and I to Issame for his work over the past six months. "For whatever comes next for him, I want to wish him the very best of luck. "He will always be welcome back at Ibrox."
The National
5 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Issame Charai lands new job days after leaving Rangers
The Morrocan departed Ibrox last week, ending a short stint having been brought in as a No.2 to Phillipe Clement at the beginning of this year. Following Clement's sacking, Charai stayed on to work under interim boss Barry Ferguson. But following the permanent appointment of Russell Martin, who brings his own backroom team, the 43-year-old moves on. It quickly transpired that he could go it alone as he was favourite to land the top job at Belgian side Westerlo. With Timmy Simons' position in doubt, it was reported they were considering the former Gers man as their head coach. Belgian journalist Sach Tovolieri is now claiming it is a done deal on a two-year contract. He said: "Issame Charaï's the new headcoach of Westerlo in Pro League! Agreement found between all parties in order to make it happen. Two years contract." Read more: Rangers confirmed the departure of Charai last week. A statement read: "Rangers can today confirm the departure of Issame Charai from the men's first-team coaching staff. "Charai, who joined the club in January to assist Philippe Clement, remained on the coaching staff through Barry Ferguson's spell in charge. "However, following the appointment of Russell Martin as Head Coach, it has been mutually agreed for Charai to move on with the best wishes of everyone at Rangers." CEO Patrick Stewart gave his reaction: "I want to place on record the sincere thanks of both the club and I to Issame for his work over the past six months. "Through the managerial transition in February and beyond, he handled himself superbly and was a real asset to Barry and his staff during their period in charge of the team. "As the men's first-team moves forth into this new era under Russell, it has been agreed between the club and Issame for him to move on. "For whatever comes next for him, I want to wish him the very best of luck. He will always be welcome back at Ibrox."
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Rangers face competition for Poku & Darling
Rangers face competition from 25 other clubs around Europe for out-of-contract Peterborough winger Kwame Poku. (Daily Record), externalEnglish Championship clubs Norwich City, Birmingham City and Wrexham are all interested in Rangers target Harry Darling, whose contract at Swansea City expires at the end of the month. (Scottish Sun), externalHaving left his role as Rangers assistant after just five months, Issame Charai is now favourite to become head coach at Belgian club Westerlo. (The National), externalRead the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Axed Rangers coach emerges as favourite for new job just ONE day after leaving Ibrox
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ISSAME CHARAI left Rangers earlier this week, but he looks to be nearing another job already. His contract was mutually terminated by the Ibrox club as Russell Martin begins to build his own backroom staff. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 2 Charai was brought in under Philippe Clement, but stayed through Barry Ferguson's interim tenure too Credit: Willie Vass 2 But with Rangers appointing Matt Gill as new assistant manager, Charai was left without a place Credit: Willie Vass The 43-year-old joined Rangers' staff in January, shortly before Philippe Clement was sacked, and he only lasted five months in the role. He might not be out the game for long though. Reports claim the former Gers number two is closing in on the Westerlo job. David Van der Broeck, a Belgian journalist claims he is favourite to succeed current boss Timmy Simons. He said on X, in response to Rangers' statement: "He is free to sign for Westerlo, where he is the favourite to succeed Timmy Simons as head coach." Charai left Rangers full of thanks for the club. He told the club's official website: 'As I leave Rangers, I want to thank everyone at the club for their support during my time here. 'This is a really special club, and as it enters a new era, I want to wish everyone associated with the club the very best for what comes next. 'Above all, I want to thank the Rangers supporters for their amazing backing across the period. We had some high moments and some low moments, but their support was the constant. It is something I will always remember and be forever grateful for.' Rangers CEO praised Charai as he moves on, saying: 'Through the managerial transition in February and beyond, he handled himself superbly and was a real asset to Barry and his staff during their period in charge of the team. Rangers fans react to news Russell Martin is their new manager 'As the men's first-team moves forth into this new era under Russell, it has been agreed between the club and Issame for him to move on." With Matt Gill joining Martin at Ibrox as his assistant coach, it left Charai without a place in the set up which inevitably lead to his departure from the Light Blues. Russell Martin has a busy summer ahead of him, preparing his Rangers squad for Champions League qualifiers. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
