According to 1908, Zeb Jacobs has been approached about leaving Rangers by a team at the “absolute” pinnacle of English football.
The Gers academy director was reportedly in demand, having spoken to a major team south of the border, according to a story on the Dutch outlet’s website on April 23. However, the club wasn’t the only one in the running.
Feyenoord are making a big push to appoint him as they look to replace Rini Coolen in Rotterdam and are seen to be leading the pursuit of the Belgian, who would have to serve out a notice period according to his contract in Glasgow but clubs don’t have to reach an agreement with Rangers to take him.
Rangers academy chief on the way out?
The Premier League club in question isn’t named but treble-winners Manchester City would certainly fit the description of being at the very top of English football, while Arsenal and Liverpool remain in a title race with Pep Guardiola’s side.
Either way, it seems that it may be the reigning Eredivisie champions who are in pole position to bring him in if he is as close to departing Rangers as has been suggested.
The fact that the 29-year-old is attracting such high attention shows that Michael Beale, who helped bring the former Royal Antwerp player to Ibrox in 2021, was more effective as an assistant manager than as a manager.
Since Jacobs took on his current role only last summer, his departure would give James Bisgrove and colleagues a significant burden that they may not have yet realized how to complete.
It won’t be beneficial for continuity at the top of an academy that needs to develop more players for the senior team, but, similar to the playing staff, Rangers’ successful players will inevitably run the risk of being snatched up by major European or English clubs. The most well-known player in the squad, Jack Butland, is rumored to be in the running for a high-profile transfer to the Premier League.
