Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Röhl has emerged as the frontrunner for the Rangers job after Steven Gerrard withdrew from talks.
The German coach, who left Hillsborough in July, is now the leading candidate to replace Russell Martin at Ibrox, with Rangers expected to make a swift appointment before their next Premiership fixture.
Gerrard Steps Aside
Rangers had hoped to lure Gerrard back to Glasgow after sacking Martin following a disastrous 123-day tenure. The former Liverpool captain, who led Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title in 2021, travelled to London for discussions with club chiefs but ultimately decided the timing was not right for a return.
Gerrard’s decision leaves Rangers scrambling to identify an alternative as fan frustration mounts. His withdrawal was reportedly amicable, though it leaves a gap that the Ibrox hierarchy must fill quickly to steady the club’s trajectory.
Gerrard, 45, has been out of management since leaving Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq in January but remains open to returning to British football in the future. His decision to turn down the Rangers role means the club’s search will now focus on younger, progressive coaches who fit the club’s long-term vision.
Röhl Leads The Race
Among those interviewed, Danny Röhl has emerged as the standout candidate. The 36-year-old impressed Rangers’ American ownership group during recent discussions, drawing on his extensive background with some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Before taking over at Sheffield Wednesday in 2023, Röhl held coaching roles at RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich, Southampton and with the German national team.
During his time at Hillsborough, Röhl was widely praised for his tactical acumen and ability to inspire a struggling squad, guiding Wednesday to a late-season surge that preserved their Championship status. However, persistent off-field issues at the club and ongoing ownership tensions led to his departure over the summer.
Rangers see Röhl as a modern, data-driven manager capable of rejuvenating the team’s pressing intensity and technical approach. His detailed preparation and analytical methods have been highlighted as key strengths by those who have worked alongside him.
Other Candidates Considered
While Röhl appears the favourite, Rangers are believed to have spoken to other out-of-work managers, including former Chelsea and West Ham boss Graham Potter and ex-Wolves manager Gary O’Neil. Potter’s short stint at West Ham ended in September, and sources close to the 49-year-old suggest he is reluctant to take on the role.
O’Neil, who left Molineux in December 2024, remains in contention but is thought to be a less likely appointment due to the club’s preference for a continental-style coach. Derek McInnes of Kilmarnock has also been linked, though he would require compensation to leave his current position.
The Rangers board is under pressure to make an appointment before Dundee United visit Ibrox on Saturday, with supporters demanding clarity after a turbulent few weeks on and off the pitch.
Writer’s View
Röhl represents a bold, forward-thinking option for Rangers, young, tactically sharp and schooled under some of the game’s most respected figures. His lack of Scottish experience may invite scepticism, but his credentials suggest a coach capable of instilling structure and identity in a side that has lost both.
With Gerrard stepping aside and other contenders hesitating, Röhl feels like the logical next step for Rangers. If he can replicate the intensity and discipline he brought to Wednesday, his appointment could mark the start of a new era at Ibrox built on modern principles rather than nostalgia.
