Farioli admits there has been two previous occasions where he has been close to the Ibrox hot seat

14:23, 28 Jan 2026Updated 15:17, 28 Jan 2026

Francesco Farioli reveals he had contact over Rangers manager job during the summer

Porto boss Francesco Farioli has revealed he’s been close to taking over as Rangers manager TWICE in the past.

But the Italian coach insists the Ibrox club should now be grateful to have Danny Rohl in charge. Farioli was approached by Gers in 2021 before Giovanni van Bronckhorst was appointed.

And he also held tentative talks last summer when Russell Martin was given the job. Farioli, who has previously managed Nice and Ajax, is now settled at Porto and is gearing up for a Europa League clash against Rangers on Thursday night.

The 36-year-old admits he was close to getting the gig in Glasgow five years ago. But now he’s in awe of the work Rohl is carrying out in getting Rangers challenging for honours again.

Ahead of the Euro tie at the Estadio Dragao, Farioli said: “I cannot deny that I’ve had some contacts with the club. The main one was some years ago when Ross Wilson was the sporting director there.

“That’s the time I was closer to the opportunity. Of course it is a great club with a big tradition in the UK and Europe so I was very grateful for these talks.

“But life has led me to some really interesting and big projects and I’m happy in the place I am now. I renewed my contract a few days ago and am really happy to be the coach of FC Porto.

“I think his (Rohl) impact has been fantastic. The start of the season for Rangers wasn’t easy but since Rohl arrived his impact has been massive especially with the recent consecutive wins.

“I see the implementation in such a short space of time of his ideas to develop a different system, sometimes playing with three or more recently in a back four.

Rangers’ head coach Danny Rohl

“They also have the ability to show different combinations on the ball, sometimes with the full-back lower on one side or one of the midfielders dropping.

“I think that says a lot about his quality as a coach and proof of what he’s done as an assistant coach and in the last few years. I think Rangers are very lucky to have a coach of this level.”

Porto need a victory over Gers to make the last eight in the Europa League table and go through to the last 16.

While Rohl’s side are already out of the competition and only playing for pride as they look to maintain their eight-game winning run.

But Farioli says they won’t underestimate the Ibrox side, irrespective of what team they put out, ahead of a crunch Premiership clash with Hibs on Sunday.

The Porto boss said: “No, don’t worry, from our side we won’t underestimate anything.

“For me, we respect the club that we’re going to face and the work that the coach is doing.

“They come here having won eight games in a row and they will want to keep that going.

“Also, for sure the mentality that they’re implementing there – that’s enough to make sure we have the right level of motivation.

“There is only one result that we’re going to play for. When you are challenging yourself for the maximum, you cannot drop a single inch.”

Farioli is flying at Porto. They’re top of the league and unbeaten, having won 18 of their 19 games so far.

And they have ambitions to go far in the Europa League as well.

But could the Italian coach eventually see himself moving to Rangers in the future after missing out previously?

He said: “You never know. As I say, it’s a great club, one of the most historical in Europe.

“But my future for at least two more years is here in Porto.

“My commitment is here and my family and I are really happy here.”