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Tuesday Kickoff: Rangers face player cuts, Sochaux fires manager and more

Rangers reuters

 

By JOHN BOSCHINI

It is something of a judgement day for Glasgow Rangers.

As administrators try to slash $1.5 million from the monthly expenses, several players are set to leave the historic Scottish club. A proposal from players to postpone salaries until the summer was rejected by the administrators and now players are set to submit a final wage-restructuring offer that would result in as few cuts as possible.

Midfielders Gregg Wylde and Mervan Celik have already had their release requests accepted and have left the club. Administrators are doubtful deep enough cuts to wages can be made to prevent further job losses for players and the BBC estimates the total amount of player layoffs could rise to around 11.

A possible source of income for Rangers would be to sell players to countries that have open transfer windows. This includes the USA, Canada, Japan and several Scandinavian countries. Rumors have already begun circulating about American players Carlos Bocanegra and Alejandro Bedoya potentially coming to MLS, with Maurice Edu a good bet to be sold in the summer.

In order to compete in European competitions next season, Rangers will have to emerge from administration by March 31 but officials at the club are skeptical they will be able to meet that deadline.

Here are some more stories to kick off your Tuesday.

SOCHAUX FIRES MANAGER

Sochaux has fired manager Mehmed Bazdarevic as the French side languishes in last place of Ligue 1 and faces a mounting relegation threat. Sochaux have not won since early November and are five points adrift of safety. The final straw was a 1-1 home draw with mid-table Valenciennes. 

Reserve team coach Eric Hely will take over until the end of the season. Bazdarevic was an immensely popular winger for the team in the early 90s but was unable to replicate the managerial success of Francis Gillot, who guided Sochaux to a fifth place finish in 2011.

It remains unclear what the firing means for American forward Charlie Davies, who has made some recent appearances as a substitute for Sochaux since returning to the French club after spending a year with MLS side D.C. United.

RAMIRES SIGNS CONTRACT EXTENSION

A bit of positive news finally emerged from Stamford Bridge as Chelsea announced a new five-year contract for midfielder Ramires. The 25-year-old Brazil international joined the Blues in 2010 during the reign of manager Carlo Ancelotti. Ramires has scored four goals in 21 appearances this season for Chelsea and is a regular first-team starter. 

HAMBURG STRIKER GETS EIGHT-GAME BAN

Hamburg striker Paolo Guerrero has received an eight-match ban from the German FA following a violent challenge against Stuttgart on Saturday.

The Peruvian international was sent off in the 54th minute for a tackle from behind on goalkeeper Sven Ulreich. Stuttgart was already leading 3-0 and went on to win 4-0. Hamburg has come out against the length of the suspension but has not decided whether or not to appeal. The club has 24 hours to file an appeal with the German FA. If the eight-game ban stands, Guerrero will only be available for the final two games of the season.

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What do you think of today's stories? Do you see the situation ending badly at Rangers? Hoping the Sochaux firing leads to more playing time for Davies? Was an eight-game ban too excessive for Guerrero?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. SBI,
    Didn’t Vancouver use their USMNT allocation on Nguyen, therefore fall to the bottom of the order?

    Reply
  2. You sound like a Yank Abroad guy from 2008. Your anti-MLS BS belongs with other crazies like Wynalda and Tinfoil Teddy. It doesn’t work in 2012.

    Thank god so many Americans don’t kiss Europe’s arse anymore with soccer. One day we will have a top flight league. In spite of people like you.

    Reply
  3. I think its actually 8
    Howard, Friedal, Guzan, Hannaamen, Whitbread, Ream, Holden, and Dempsey
    Correct me if I’m wrong.

    Reply
  4. I recall what bobby said when i read the article. The article was good and he is correct in pointing out the EU law. Is the issue with these 2 clubs that they are carrying a higher payroll than the income they generate from their fan base, jersey sales & tv revenue? If so, there may be more clubs in trouble in the near future.

    Reply
  5. One additional complication.

    Both Boca and Bedoya have already played for 2 teams in Europe this season, meaning they aren’t eligible to play for a 3rd.

    That said, there might be an exception made since the administration isn’t their fault.

    Reply
  6. NYRB won’t get any of them… they’re too far down the allocation list.

    It’s possible Backe would try to trade up for them (a la Seattle with Montreal for Eddie Johnson).

    Chances are, though, somebody ahead would want them more.

    Reply

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