Giovanni van Bronckhorst has emerged as one of the leading contenders to replace Steven Gerrard at Rangers.

The former Ibrox boss was announced as the new Aston Villa manager this morning.

Liverpool legend Gerrard leaves the club after three-and-a-half years in charge, guiding Rangers to their 55th league title last season.

Now former Rangers, Arsenal and Barcelona full back van Bronckhorst has emerged as one of the frontrunners for the job.

Who is Giovanni van Bronckhorst?

Born in Rotterdam, van Bronckhorst began his footballing career as a youth player at Feyenoord.

Breaking through the ranks of his boyhood club, the left back would go on to make more than 100 appearances for the side before a move to Rangers in 1998.

During his three-year spell at Ibrox, van Bronckhorst lifted two league titles, making 73 appearances.

A move to the Premier League, and Arsenal, followed, before the Dutchman found himself at Barcelona.

Playing more than 100 times for the Spanish giants, he won two La Liga titles and lifted the Champions League in 2006, defeating former side Arsenal in the final.

He would return to Feyenoord in 2007, where van Bronckhorst would finish his career in 2010.

The left back also featured 106 times for the Netherlands, and picked up a World Cup runners up medal in 2010 with his country.

Does Giovanni van Bronckhorst have managerial experience?

The former Ibrox defender has been out of work since a spell with Guangzhou R&F in China last year.

He previously spent four years as manager of Feyenoord.

During his time at the Dutch club he won one Eredivise title and lifted the KNVB Cup on two occasions.

Rangers statement on Steven Gerrard

Rangers announced the news of Gerrard’s departure just after 10am this morning.

A club statement reads: "Rangers can today announce the departure of manager Steven Gerrard to Aston Villa.

"Gerrard moves to the Midlands club having played a key role in the significant growth of the Light Blues in numerous areas during his three-and-a-half years at Ibrox.

"Rangers now has an outstanding, highly competitive playing squad which is capable of both winning and entertaining on all fronts, with the highest of standards now also prevalent throughout the football department.

"In European competition, Rangers have qualified for group stage football for four successive seasons, and knockout-stage football in the last two, improving not only the club’s standing on the continent, but also that of Scottish Football.

"Domestically, Rangers have flourished under Gerrard, with that work culminating in the club claiming their 55th title last season on the back of an unbeaten league campaign.

"He now leaves Rangers with the club top of the Scottish Premiership with a Premier Sports Cup semi-final to look forward to and the opportunity to qualify yet again for the knockout stages of the Europa League still in the team’s own hands.

"Rangers Football Club would like to put on record their thanks to Steven and his staff and wish them every success in the future. They will always be welcome at Ibrox."