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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Walker

Giovanni van Bronckhorst rejects mega-money Saudi offers

Former Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has revealed he has turned down job offers from mega-rich clubs in Saudi Arabia because he only wants to manage in Europe.

The Dutch coach was sacked from the Ibrox club last November after falling nine points behind Celtic and a disastrous Champions League campaign that set unwanted records after six defeats.

But he led Rangers to a Europa League Final and a Scottish Cup success the previous season.

Van Bronckhorst admits he's had plenty of job offers since leaving Rangers and wants a return to coaching, but he isn't interested in joining the footballing exodus to Saudi.

He said: "My intention is to return to management. I have had a few months of rest and it was nice to be home, but in the future I would like to be back on the frontline.

"There has been interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, but I prefer to stay in Europe.

"It's great to be involved in football, especially in a big league. That is my preference.”

And van Bronckhorst admitted he was delighted Ajax misfit Calvin Bassey clinched a £17 million move to Fulham after being slaughtered in the Netherlands last season.

He pointed out: "When I came to Rangers, Calvin was not even a starter. I gave him the chance and he became a powerful force in the first team.

"He is a strong boy, is fast and eager to learn. He went through a stormy development and there was a lot of interest when he was at Rangers, but he chose Ajax.

"Expectations were high, but it was a difficult year for Ajax. That also made it harder for Calvin. He didn't get enough opportunities to show off his strengths and everyone was looking at his build-up play instead.

"But at Fulham, he will be able to show how well he can defend, which he is great at."

Meanwhile, unwanted ex-Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos is negotiating with a number of clubs in Russia to relaunch his career, according to his agent.

The Colombian hitman is still without a club despite being available on a pre-contract since January and as a free agent since leaving Rangers at the end of last season.

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