Le Guen's Rangers reign ends in record time

French manager Paul Le Guen left Rangers by mutual consent yesterday, seven months after he arrived saying his ambition was to win back the Scottish Premier League title.

Le Guen's reign was the shortest in Rangers' 134-year history, the club said, adding that reserve coach Ian Durrant would take temporary charge of first-team training.

The news followed the manager's high-profile falling out with midfielder Barry Ferguson, who was dropped and stripped of the captaincy for Tuesday's league win at Motherwell to the anger of many fans.

"I am disappointed to leave but I think it is the best solution for all concerned," Le Guen (picture) told the club's website.

"I would like to thank all the people who helped me and my team during my spell in Scotland.

"In particular I would like to thank the directors, who at all times gave me their total support."

Chairman David Murray said: "Having met with Paul it was clear that in the interests of the club and all concerned we agreed jointly to him stepping down.

"We are all clearly disappointed with our current circumstances and will now focus on securing a suitable replacement."

When Le Guen replaced Alex McLeish, hopes were high the flair that helped clinch three successive Ligue 1 titles for Olympique Lyon would inspire Rangers to challenge champions Celtic.

Instead, his time in Glasgow has been a catalogue of disappointments.

The Ferguson saga proved the final straw for Le Guen, who oversaw one of the club's worst home cup results when they crashed out of the League Cup to second division St Johnstone 2-0 in November, a loss which sparked protests outside the stadium.

Rangers, who trail arch-rivals Celtic by 17 points, also endured home and away defeats by Inverness Caledonian Thistle while Murray appeared beside his manager at one routine pre-match news conference to show support for Le Guen.