Ally McCoist has suggested that Darren Fletcher could one day be a top candidate for the managerial role at Rangers after being impressed by his brief tenure as Manchester United’s caretaker boss.
Fletcher, a former Scotland international and Manchester United midfielder, was tasked with leading the Red Devils’ first team for two matches last month following the club’s decision to part ways with Ruben Amorim after 14 months in charge.
During that period, the 41-year-old oversaw a 2-2 Premier League draw with Burnley and a 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion before Michael Carrick was appointed as interim manager until the end of the season.
Although his spell was short and results mixed, Fletcher made a strong impression on McCoist, who praised both his professionalism and leadership. Speaking to talkSPORT Bet, the Ibrox legend said:
“In the very short period that he was caretaker at Manchester United, I was really impressed by Darren. I wasn’t surprised at all because I’ve known him for many years when I was assistant to Walter Smith with the national team.
Darren was one of our key players and just a brilliant boy to deal with. A terrific player, first class on and off the pitch. He handled the whole situation really, really well. I can certainly see him having a career in coaching and management.”
Fletcher has remained a constant presence behind the scenes at Manchester United since returning to the club in October 2020 to work within the youth setup. He currently serves as head coach of the Under-18s, overseeing the development of the club’s brightest young talents.
McCoist also hinted that while he prefers Rangers as a destination, he appreciates Fletcher’s connections to the Red Devils and his broader experience in the game.
Before taking the caretaker role, Fletcher revealed he sought the blessing of his legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. “I don’t like to make any major decisions without speaking to Sir Alex,” he explained. “I’ve got a really good relationship with him, so I wanted to speak to him first and ultimately to get his blessing.
I think he deserves that respect. He echoed my thoughts and it was comforting to hear him say that. When you’re an employee of the club, it’s your job to do your best for Manchester United. That’s something I try to live by every day.”
Despite overseeing just two matches, Fletcher’s calm demeanor, understanding of the game, and ability to manage the pressures of top-level football have convinced McCoist and others that he has the potential to step into a senior managerial role in the near future.
With his experience as a player at the highest level, combined with his growing coaching credentials, Fletcher is now firmly on the radar as a potential future manager for Rangers.
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