Former Rangers No.2 Andries Ulderink has revealed he had to get special permission from the Ibrox club to take charge at Royal Antwerp because he promised them he wouldn't take another job this season.
Philippe Clement's former assistant left Rangers last year due to personal reasons, but was appointed as manager of Antwerp earlier this month.
He suffered a nightmare start to his new role, after beating his former boss Clement to the job, when he was rushed to hospital after a kidney stone attack on his first day in the new role.
He's now back and revealed he had to get the green light from Rangers to accept his new job.
He explained: "I had no intention of going to work anywhere.
"In November and December, I was in a difficult private situation for several reasons.
"That's why I started talking to Rangers about leaving.
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"My contract was terminated - I am grateful to the club for that - with the agreement that I would not accept a job this season and would make time for the family.
"I felt the energy returning there. The family process was also going in the right direction. But again, I had no intention of going to work anywhere.
"Then when Antwerp called, everything changed.
"The people who work here are special and my previous experience at the club left a deep impression on me.
"So I called Rangers about my contractual matters and they agreed to allow me to take the job. I decided to accept the offer.
"Antwerp are close to my heart."
