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It’s barely been a day and the ink has barely dried on Steven Gerrard’s signature on his Aston Villa contract, but Glasgow Rangers have the unenviable task of replacing the Liverpool legend and former Reds captain. As Rangers search for their new manager.

Gerrard who agreed to become Villa boss, on a three and a half year deal, replaces the popular Dean Smith. The team here at The Sports Buff offer our three suggestions of who should be the new manager at the helm of The Gers.

Frank Lampard (Favourite)

Former, West Ham, Chelsea, New York City and Manchester City midfielder Frank Lampard who took Derby to the Championship play-off final, only to lose to Dean Smith’s Aston Villa, is a manager we do rate highly.

Lack of trophies could count against him here, but in his short tenure in management so far we argue he has helped players develop with a more personal touch. Mason Mount and Fikoyo Timouri (at Derby) benefitted from his management for example.

Out of our list of options, Super Frank is the least experienced, but so was a certain Stevie G and look what happened there. We don’t want to use the word stepping stone, but if Lampard was to succeed here, clubs in England would be coming calling. At 43, for a manager he’s very young indeed.

At time of writing, although it appears that Frank Lampard is poised to take the job at Norwich, with the greatest respect to The Canaries, we think he’s better than that. Even though we’re wrong with this one, we don’t think we should be as we think Lamps could emulate Gerard’s achievements at Ibrox.

Dean Smith (Wild card)

Former Walsall and Brentford manager Dean Smith is on this list, as the 50-year old is a good manager, his achievements with past clubs prove it, and those sides have had the philosophy of playing attractive football.

Smith’s trophy cabinet, may not be full like other managers in world football, but at Ibrox, a with solid base (which he has) we don’t think this choice should be completely far fetched. As a player he wasn’t as high profile as Frank Lampard, which will count against him.

Still having said that, Rangers could do worse by hiring Dean Smith as their new manager. Dean Smith was sacked wrongly by The Villains, a lot of the football community want to see him back in a job as soon as, we think the life long Villa fan deserves it. Maybe a trip down south could help rebuild his reputation? It worked for Brendan Rodgers.

Giovani Van Bronckhorst (Midcard)

The 46-year old Gio Van Bronckhorst, who was a former Ranger player during Dick Advocaaat’s time at Ibrox, is seen by bookmakers as the favourite for the role. Former Aberdeen boss Derek Mc Innes has been touted as Steven Gerrard replacement, but we don’t see it happening.

The former full-back who also played for Barcelona and Feyenord, who he would go on to in the Eredvisie with as manager, has clearly shown he is capable manager. The fact he spent time at the club should work in his favour, shouldn’t it?

We will ask Ole Gunnar Solskjaer about that. We preferred Lampard, but the way it’s looking we think Gio Van Bronckhorst won’t be the worst appointment, but this is our thoughts, what’s yours?

Let us know in the comments.