Danny Rohl is set to finalise a deal to become the new Rangers head coach after Kevin Muscat withdrew from the race after disagreements with CEO Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell over the recruitment structure.
Despite the former Sheffield Wednesday boss withdrawing from the running less than a week ago it now looks as if he, and the Ibrox hierarchy have returned to the table and are set to agree a deal, with talks now in an advanced stage.
After the collapse of deals to appoint both Muscat and former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard over the past two weeks, the board know this appointment cannot go array, if the Rohl deal collapses then heads will surely role, and not just those attached to the bodies of Stewart and Thelwell, but those on Andrew Cavanagh and Paarag Marathe’s shoulders too.
Rohl had previously become frustrated with the recruitment process at Ibrox, after being perceived as the second choice to Gerrard, he was left on hold after the former Liverpool captain withdrew from the role, as Rangers turned their attentions to Muscat, manager of Shanghai Port in China, ignoring their previous second choice Rohl, who seemed insulted at being overlooked despite strong interviews.
Rohl will join on an expected two and a half year contract until the summer of 2028, with a coaching team, expected to include former Rangers captain Lee Wallace, to be announced in due course.
After a modest playing career in the German lower leagues, Rohl stepped into coaching at 21, starting at at RB Leipzig, later working at Southampton, Bayern Munich, and as assistant manager of the German national team before taking the top job at Wednesday in October 2023.
He managed to steady the on-fire ship at Hillsborough, keeping the club afloat and in the English Championship despite severe financial constraints, playing an entertaining but fluid style of football. However, the turmoil in South Yorkshire became too much for him in the summer and the impact of owner Dejphon Chansiri and he departed this summer, just after Rangers concluded their search for a head coach and landed on Russell Martin.
Rohl may not be in place in time to head to Norway for Rangers UEFA Europa League clash against Brann this Thursday, with Stevie Smith expected to travel with the squad as coach ahead of the game, with Rohl expected to take full charge this Sunday against Kilmarnock in the league.