Search begins after board cut losses on Caixinha

prior to a meek exit to Motherwell in last Sunday’s Betfred Cup semi-final. Requiring a resounding victory against Kilmarnock to win back disgruntled fans, Caixinha’s side missed a 90th-minute penalty before immediately conceding an equaliser — a finale that proved to be the final straw for his paymasters. The 46-year-old took training as normal yesterday before being told his services were no longer required. It is believed he will receive around £400,000 as severance for a contract that ran until 2020, with Under-20s boss Graeme Murty put in charge of the team for tomorrow’s trip to Murrayfield to face Hearts.

Sportsmail understands director of football Mark Allen will also play a more hands-on role in on-field matters, with chairman Dave King, who has been in Glasgow for the past week, also having more to do with the day-to-day running of the club. McInnes, Tommy Wright and Alex McLeish are among the frontrunners to replace Caixinha, but Sportsmail understands the Ibrox board are keen to explore high-profile options in England and abroad before deciding upon a successor. Former Ibrox defender Frank de Boer is out of work after being sacked by Crystal Palace, while Sam Allardyce is also available. Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson last night backed McInnes as the perfect pick, saying: ‘Derek has done a fantastic job at Aberdeen. He knows the club, he played for the club, he won trophies and he knows the expectations. I think he deserves a crack at a big job — and what better job for him than the Rangers job? ‘You then have the route of maybe bringing back Alex McLeish, who has been there before. For me, Derek has done a fantastic job [at Aberdeen].’ Ferguson recognises the Rangers board can’t afford to appoint the wrong man again, with work needed to reshape the squad left behind by Caixinha. ‘I just want somebody who knows the club and the expectations,’ he told the BBC. ‘I want someone who knows what it’s all about to manage Rangers and can get that hunger back into the team. The next appointment has to be right.’ A Rangers statement said: ‘The decision to part company with Pedro was taken after careful consideration and the search for a new manager will begin immediately. ‘Results have been disappointing and not commensurate with the level of investment that was made available. ‘The priority is to appoint a new manager as quickly as possible, but the board will take as much time as is necessary to secure the right person.’ Caixinha’s No2 Helder Baptista and coaches Pedro Malta and Jose Belman have also left the club. Meanwhile, Bruno Alves yesterday lost his appeal against a two-match ban for kicking Motherwell striker Louis Moult. The Ibrox defender will miss the match with Hearts tomorrow. The second part applies to next season’s Betfred Cup.