Dutch icon Mark van Bommel could have been the latest of his fellow countrymen to steer the ship of a British giant.
But ultimately it was not to be.
In an appearance on talkSPORT’s White and Jordan, Van Bommel was quizzed by co-host Jim White as to whether he was any chance of taking over at Rangers, who were in the market for a new manager.
Mark van Bommel’s response to links with Rangers
“There were some talks, but not directly to the board of Glasgow Rangers,” Van Bommel replied.
The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona midfielder added: “It’s kind of the Dutch team, you know?
“With a lot of Dutch players and also, of course, [Former manager Dick] Advocaat.
“I played [there] once with PSV. It’s an atmosphere that’s unbelievable.
“I loved it at Antwerp as well, similar to Rangers.
“Of course, the Scottish league is a good league and it’s a real challenge to become champion and then play in Europe. I think that’s the big goal for the teams in Scotland.”
Rangers ultimately decided to appoint Russell Martin as their new manager, although his tenure has not gone to plan as they failed to qualify for the Champions League in a rather crushing manner.
Had Van Bommel accepted a formal offer to take over at Rangers, he would have become the club’s third Dutch manager alongside Advocaat and Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Van Bommel’s managerial career at a glance
It also would have marked the fourth managerial gig in the 48-year-old’s coaching career having previously enjoyed stints with PSV, Wolfsburg and Royal Antwerp.
Van Bommel’s time at Antwerp is his most notable given he steered the club to a domestic double in the 2022/23 campaign.
Along with the Belgian Cup, which Antwerp won with a 2-0 victory over Mechelen in the final, Van Bommel oversaw their first Belgian Pro League title in 66 years.
It was secured in the most dramatic of circumstances as former Tottenham centre-back Toby Alderweireld let rip from distance and found the top left-hand corner in second-half stoppage time to hand Antwerp a 3-2 win over Genk.
Van Bommel chose to leave at the end of his contract in June 2024 and has not managed since, despite leading Antwerp to glory.
But the 79-time Netherlands international confirmed his door is open should a Premier League club be in need of a trophy-winning manager.
When asked if he has aspirations to manage in England, Van Bommel replied: “That would be nice.
“I had some offers to play in the early 2000s. But I didn’t go. Sometimes it was another club or whatever.
“But of course, if you see the Premier League, it’s amazing. And also the championship, the crowds, the players, it’s a lovely atmosphere.”
Should Van Bommel end up managing in the English top flight, he would become the second Dutch boss alongside Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
At present, Slot is also the only Dutchman managing in the top four tiers of English football.
The 46-year-old has more than made his mark too given he guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season at the helm.