P45EDRO, AND IT’S NOT HIS CAR REG PLATE

POTTY Pedro Caixinha was handed his P45 by Sevco Rangers today after just seven crazy, chaotic months in charge at Ibrox.

The Portuguese manager’s contract was ripped up after directors held an emergency meeting this morning following last night’s dismal 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock.

The stalemate against the struggling Rugby Park outfit in the Premiership followed a 2-0 flop in the Betfred League Cup semi-final from Motherwell on Sunday.

Caixinha insisted he would fight on as manager after last night’s eventful game that saw Ryan Jack sent off for the third time in 10 outings, a missed penalty-kick and a stoppage-time leveller from former Ibrox winger Chris Burke.

Chairman Dave King and his directors decided not to continue with the Portuguese boss in charge and will now begin a search for a new manager.

The club confirmed that Caixinha’s backroom staff will also leave the club, with Graeme Murty taking charge as caretaker boss.

Caixinha was appointed as successor to Mark Warburton in March, signing a three-year deal after compensation was paid to Qatari club Al Gharafa to release him from his contract.

The Ibrox club finished third in the league, a massive 39 points behind Celtic, who inflicted a record 5-1 defeat on Caixinha’s side in Govan in April.

That defeat came on the back of a 2-0 loss in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Brendan Rodgers’ Invincibles.

A summer overhaul of the playing squad brought 11 players – mainly unknown – into Ibrox at the cost of around £10million, with the manager backed financially to recruit from Mexico and Portugal as well as bringing in British players.

The new season began early with Europa League qualifying, but Sevco suffered an embarrassing early exit at the hands of Luxembourg’s minnows Progres Niederkorn, a part-time outfit.

Caixinha failed to win three consecutive games during his tenure and his management and recruitment had been questioned.

After defeat to Celtic in the first Glasgow derby of the season, details emerged of unrest in the dressing room.

Kenny Miller was sent to play with the youth side and has not featured for the first team since, while the player’s agent insisted his client was not the source of “leaks” from within the club.

Results and performances were inconsistent, but pressure increased after the 2-0 nosedive to Motherwell at Hampden on Sunday when the irate Ibrox gaffer was sent to the stand after blowing his top on the touchline.

After initially saying the defeat was entirely his responsibility, he then claimed the players had “embarrassed” the club and their fans and challenged them to show their quality and commitment against Kilmarnock.

Despite the hosts holding a first-half lead, Killie got back into the game and eventually earned a point in the fading moments.

It prompted the club’s directors to consider his position and conclude a change had to be made.
Caixinha’s reign was over. Now everyone can start the comparisons with Paul le Guen.

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