Ex-Rangers star’s managerial gig could be in major trouble

Former Rangers star Paolo Vanoli, such a popular LB back in the halcyon days, may be in a spot of bother after his side Spartak Moscow were axed from the UEL, and like all Russian sport, banned globally until further notice.

The 49 year old, who lost to Rangers for Parma in the epic tussle in ’99 (which alerted Dick Advocaat to him), became boss in Moscow last December as his first gig in the hotseat alone, but may now find things a lot more tricky to do his job with the situation in Ukraine developing daily.

Vanoli wasn’t Arthur Numan of course, he wasn’t an incredible LB for Rangers, but he was popular and did well for the Famous, and he’s had a good coaching career as assistant then boss of Italy U19s.

But Moscow was his big gig, his first big management job and after a defeat the opening day of the season, he may find the job a bit tougher than he expected.

His employer said:

“The recent decision taken by UEFA and FIFA although expected, is extremely upsetting. Unfortunately, the efforts that our club made in the Europa League have been nullified for reasons that are far outside the remit of sports. Spartak has millions of fans not only in Russia, but all over the world. Our successes and failures bring people from dozens of different countries together. We believe that sport, even in the most difficult times, should aim to build bridges, and not burn them. We are forced to obey a decision that we do not agree with. For now, we shall focus on domestic competitions, and are looking forward to a speedy achievement of peace that everybody needs.”

We surely all agree with the peace part.