Rafa Benitez ‘aware’ of Rangers next permanent manager interest with his non negotiable already set

The Champions League winning boss has emerged as a candidate for the hot seat at the end of the campaign

Out of work boss Rafa Benitez is ‘aware” of his name being floated to become the next Rangers manager.

That is according to Dougie Imrie – after the Morton manager attended a UEFA coaching course in Geneva alongside the Spaniard. Record Sport understands that the former Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle United boss is being considered as an option to replace Philippe Clement permanently in the summer by San Francisco 49ers backed consortium that are inching towards a takeover.

Barry Ferguson is in the Rangers hotseat until the end of the campaign on an interum basis but American businessman Andrew Cavenagh – who is leading a consortium bidding to buy a controlling stake in the Light Blues along with Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe, the main man behind NFL giants San Francisco 49ers’ investment wing – are already looking to the future with a deal has now been agreed in principle .Imrie spoke about his meeting with Benitez following his side’s victory over Ayr United.

He said: “He said he had heard the speculation but that is as far as he went. Who knows, although I did put my CV in to be his assistant manager!

“It was a good trip and I’m pleased to come back with a win. It was good to get away from the noise for a while and spend three days over there.

“To speak to a guy like Rafa, who has managed at so many top clubs, and have a personal chat with him was refreshing. I was able to ask questions that relate to me being here and it was good to hear that everything isn’t always rosy, no matter how big the club is.”