Former Sheffield Wednesday Manager Explains Shocking U-Turn

Former Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl has explained the key U-turn that persuaded him to take on the Rangers job after it seemed the deal was off. 

The 36-year-old arrives in Scotland after making a great impression at his former employers in Yorkshire

Welcome to Rangers, Danny Röhl.

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) October 20, 2025

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Making The Turn 

Röhl had initially stepped back amid a chaotic search to replace Russell Martin, which saw the hierarchy reportedly approach many targets. However, in his first Ibrox press conference, he explained that communication with Rangers never ceased. “Outstanding” meetings and a “great relationship” with the hierarchy, built on mutual vision for the team, kept the talks alive.

Röhl signed a two-and-a-half-year deal and said the squad had great potential to go further, aiming to instil a higher intensity and a forward-playing style to restore Rangers’ confidence and get the team up the table.

Making An Impression

Röhl forged his reputation as an assistant coach at RB Leipzig, Southampton, Bayern Munich and also Germany’s national team for Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.

Appointed in October 2023 at age 34, Röhl inherited a poor situation. The Owls were rock bottom in the Championship, being winless in 11 games, seven points from safety. His high-intensity training and tactical switches, namely from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a fluid 3-4-3—sparked a Great Escape. Earning 1.42 points per game after arrival, they amassed 30 points in 16 matches, which included a league-high 24 points from losing positions, with the club securing survival on the final day.

Last season, Röhl delivered a comfortable 12th place with 58 points, twice earning himself Manager of the Month nods and extending his deal to 2027 amid astonishing fan support. Yet, owner Dejphon Chansiri’s financial instability and chaos prompted his mutual-consent exit in July.

Torrid Time

Rangers’ season has been a struggle across all competitions. In the Scottish Premiership, they’ve managed only one win in seven matches with a record of 1-5-1 with a mere 8 points Key results include draws against Motherwell, Dundee, and Falkirk, and a 2-0 loss to Hearts.

In the UEFA Champions League Qualification, they exited in the play-off round to Club Brugge with a whopping 9-1 aggregate. The Europa League has been equally tough, with losses to Genk and Sturm Graz, placing them 32nd. Despite Scottish League Cup progress, including a 4-2 win over Alloa, Russell Martin’s sacking after only 123 days reflects the club’s turmoil and a need to change.

Club Statement

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) October 5, 2025

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Who Was The Favourite?

According to some of the UK’s biggest betting sites, Rohl is on average 3rd favourite for the Ibrox job. However, after reported interest in former title-winning manager Steven Gerrard and former player Kevin Muscat, who had barriers to the job through his current contract at Chinese club Shanghai Port, left the Rangers hierarchy almost in a rush to appoint a manager who aligns with the club’s ambitions.

See below the odds immediately after Martin’s sacking through sites, Paddy Power, William Hill and Sky Bet

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Rangers owner and American tycoon Andrew Cavanagh had this to say on Rohl’s appointment. 

“In terms of offering a job, it’s not the way that it sounds where you push across a letter with a fancy type on it and a signature, where you say ‘Do you want this?”

“I think everything is still to play for.”

“We have dug ourselves a hole in the league, without a doubt.”

“Eight behind across town, and further behind top of the table.”

“We can still do everything in the league, and we can still do everything for both cups, and again, we’ve a little bit of a hole in Europe with two losses out of two matches, but six to go.”

“Everything is still in front of us.”

“We look at this not as ‘What are the ambitions two or three months out’.”

“We look at it more simply, and it’s one of the things we like about Danny.”

“‘What are we doing tomorrow? What are we doing Thursday in Norway?”

“Brick by brick, we’ll continue to build and win.”

“That’s how we’ll make progress as opposed to putting targets out there.”

Writers View 

Danny Röhl’s appointment at Rangers will no doubt electrify fans; his dynamic experience of saving Sheffield Wednesday from Championship relegation to a solid 12th-place finish, might just be what the doctor ordered and showcases tactical brilliance.

However, intense pressure awaits with Rangers’ dismal season, with one league win in eight and Europa League struggles, demanding instant results. After a chaotic search and rejections, desperate owners secured Röhl on a two-and-a-half-year deal, banking on his intensity to revive the club.