Former Rangers manager clarifies comments on Sheffield Wednesday approach

Caixinha, who spent seven largely unsuccessful months at Ibrox managing on-loan Owls Josh Windass among others, has hinted that the ‘third party’ approach was more concrete than previously suggested.

The Portuguese, 49, left Mexican giants Cruz Azul four days before Garry Monk’s appointment in September and is the lookout for a new job.

Speaking to Mexican website TUDN, Caixinha said: “We’re hoping that it can materialise, if not now, when it resumes, for the start of the next season. I’m going to tell you that this Sheffield contact did exist, there were others from Brazil, the Middle East, some in Portugal and Europe.

“We’re at that moment of being able to decide the next step, never neglecting the pleasure that I have with Mexico, because that’s where we have our preferential market, it’s where I have worked the longest and I had the greatest achievements.”

Caixinha finds himself alongside former Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal in the running for the top job at Brazilian side Vasco da Gama.

Asked about links with the Hillsborough hotseat, he told Portuguese outlet Record last month: “There were only approaches from third parties.

“This situation is somewhat similar to that of Vasco da Gama.

“We are looking for a project where there is mutual identification. A project that is structurally building a club and simultaneously fighting for titles.”