Rangers face a managerial search as RB Salzburg pursue Danny Rohl, a German coach who nearly led them to the title last season.
Rangers on brink of third manager change. With players returning for pre-season training soon, Rangers may need to replace Danny Rohl as their manager. A reported move to RB Salzburg has gained traction, and after a late-season collapse—losing four of the last five games to finish third—his future at Ibrox is uncertain. Reports of interest from Germany and Austria suggest Rohl’s eight-month stint could end, forcing the club to reconsider its leadership ahead of next season.
Could Gerrard make a second return to Ibrox? Steven Gerrard admitted he was “very close” to returning to Rangers when Russell Martin was dismissed last October, before Rohl’s appointment. He cited lingering uncertainties, including the club’s structure at the time, saying, “If I’m going to take on a challenge that big and important—I’ve got that affection and connection with Rangers—for me to do it again, it had to be perfect and I had to be 100% ready.” Gerrard also hinted at reservations about working under the previous hierarchy, including sporting director Kevin Thelwell, whom he never criticized directly. His struggles at Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq contrast sharply with his success at Rangers, where fans still celebrate his 2021 title win. Gerrard emphasized the need for the right environment, telling The Smith Brothers’ podcast in December, “Something has to match my skillset, if you know what I mean. I am looking for the right match. Rangers was perfect, I was really close to going up there again.” The club’s current willingness to invest heavily in the squad may also appeal to him, given his frustrations with limited backing during his first tenure.
Would McInnes leave Hearts for Rangers? Derek McInnes has long been linked with Rangers due to his Scottish football pedigree and ties to the club, though he previously turned down the role in 2017 to remain at Aberdeen. Now leading Hearts, he guided the Edinburgh side to a historic title challenge last season, falling just short of ending Celtic’s dominance after nearly 70 years. When asked about the Rangers vacancy before Rohl’s appointment, McInnes stressed his commitment to Hearts, saying, “I love it here. It’s been a long time for me coming here. I always thought this was a job that I wanted to be at. I’m working with some good people.” His strong partnership with sporting director Graeme Jones and the club’s Champions League qualification aspirations could make Rangers’ pursuit a tough sell. The backing from owner Tony Bloom’s data-driven approach adds another layer of appeal for McInnes to stay put.
Are outsiders a realistic option for Rangers? Some fans argue limiting the search to high-profile candidates like Gerrard or McInnes is too narrow, suggesting overseas managers with proven track records could be viable alternatives. Yet few outsiders have delivered the consistent success demanded by Rangers’ standards. Dick Advocaat stands out as a rare exception, but the club’s unique Glasgow identity—requiring deep familiarity with its culture, rivalry dynamics, and fan expectations—often pushes the hierarchy toward returnees or former players. Martin’s tenure, despite his playing history at Rangers, highlighted how such moves don’t always succeed. The urgency is heightened by a five-year league title drought and third-place finish under new ownership, which may justify a more focused search rather than a broad international hunt for an “Ange Postecoglou or Jens Berthel Askou”-style figure.