James Tavernier's post-Rangers move may have just been confirmed as 'close relationship' to be reignited

James Tavernier left Rangers at the end of May and his next club could well be Feyenoord amid Giovanni van Bronckhorst's impending appointment.

The pair spent a year together when the Dutchman was in charge of the Gers between 2021 and 2022, and they looked to share a close bond.

After Robin van Persie was sacked by Feyenoord earlier this month, the Eredivisie side may have the chance to combine them once more.

Tavernier left Rangers rather unceremoniously at the end of the season after a falling out with Danny Rohl, who is now set to leave himself.

The right-back had hoped to lead the team out at Ibrox one last time but was left on the bench, and ultimately dropped out of the line-up.

Rohl had been backed by the Rangers ownership over the decision and several others, but he is now agreed a deal to become RB Salzburg manager and will be replaced by Derek McInnes.

A familiar face could be heading back to De Kuip

It looks like Rotterdam-born Giovanni van Bronckhorst will return to Feyenoord as head coach after spells in China, Scotland, Turkey and England ⚪ pic.twitter.com/gqYT4HoT69

Van Bronckhorst ended his playing career at Feyenoord in 2010, and became an assistant manage to Ronald Koeman at the club in 2011.

He would become manager in 2015, later becoming Rangers boss in 2021 and generally producing strong results.

The Gers won 10 of their first 12 under his guidance, and by the time he had overseen 25 games, they had lost just once.

Happy birthday to our former player and manager, Giovanni van Bronckhorst. pic.twitter.com/ZzkiKhGYqK

It was Van Bronckhorst who took Rangers to the Europa League final in that first season, where they came ever so close, losing on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt.

That loss reverberated into the next season, and inconsistent results ultimately saw the Dutchman sacked in 2022.

The years since have seen the 51-year-old take on a brief stint in charge of Besiktas, before joining Arne Slot's backroom staff at Liverpool last summer.

Slot's departure has allowed Van Bronckhorst to seek something else, and various sources now report that he will be appointed by Feyenoord.

Tavernier always remained supportive of Van Bronckhorst during his time at the club, often speaking publicly in his favour.

"I have a really good close relationship with the boss. I see him regularly, more than the players see, but he has a great relationship with everybody," he said in 2022.

"That is just the type of boss he is, he is really hands on with the team and everyone respects him. We owe everyone. We owe ourselves, we owe the fans, we owe the boss, the club. You never want to lose."

Captain James Tavernier has the following message for fans, teammates and staff at the club. pic.twitter.com/7Di6ko7hGG

In another interview in the same year, Tavernier insisted: "We are always behind the manager, never once are we not. We have full belief in his tactics and whatever he puts out on match day it is down to us as a team, as players, to go out and put a performance in for him and the fans."

With Tavernier now a free agent, the two may well finally have a chance to reunite. Feyenoord's signing of Raheem Sterling in January was a similar deal, and it would not be a surprise to see it repeated.