Glasgow, 07.11.2018, Ibrox Stadion, Fussball, Scottish Premiership, Glasgow Rangers Imago Images
Rangers are working to reach a swift conclusion over RB Salzburg’s surprise move to poach manager Danny Rohl from Ibrox.
The Austrian club targeted the 37-year-old after sacking Daniel Beichler, with sources in Germany claiming contact has already been made with Rangers chiefs.
Chairman Andrew Cavenagh faces a significant decision just weeks after publicly declaring his support for Rohl following the club’s dramatic title collapse.
Cavenagh and chief executive Jim Gillespie are currently in the United States, attending the North America Rangers Supporters Association convention in Nashville.
Both the chairman and Rohl’s representatives remained tight-lipped while initial discussions were understood to be taking place between the parties.
Record Sport understands Cavenagh wants the situation resolved as quickly as possible to avoid disrupting preparations for the new season.
Rohl is scheduled to welcome his players back to Auchenhowie for pre-season training a week on Monday, with a squad trip to Austria planned for July 10.
Whether Rangers will travel to their summer training base with or without their manager now remains very much an open question.
Rohl had previously distanced himself from an exit, insisting last month he was in no rush to leave Glasgow after being linked with the Wolfsburg job.
However, a move to Salzburg could hold different appeal, given that Rohl began his coaching career at their sister club RB Leipzig under Ralph Hasenhuttl, later following him to Southampton in the English Premier League.
Rohl also served as Hansi Flick’s assistant at Bayern Munich and with the German national team, making him a well-regarded figure across European football.
He arrived at Ibrox last October as Russell Martin’s successor, inheriting a squad written off following a disastrous start to the season, and quickly revived Rangers’ title hopes.
With five games remaining, the Light Blues looked to be heading toward a remarkable championship win before losing four consecutive matches and allowing Celtic to claim a fifth successive title.
Celtic had also eliminated Rangers from both domestic cup competitions, leaving a large portion of the Ibrox support frustrated with Rohl’s management.
Many supporters now view Salzburg’s interest as a convenient opportunity to move on from the German coach without the club needing to formally sack him.
Cavenagh, however, has been forthright in his backing of Rohl, saying last month: “As we look to next year, Danny is our coach.”
“We believe that Danny gives us the best chance to win the league next year,” the chairman added, pointing to squad investment as the key requirement.
“We don’t yet have a good team. And that is our focus this summer – building a winning team. With an improved squad, we think Danny will bring titles.”
Cavenagh acknowledged the emotional nature of supporter sentiment, saying: “A month ago, the fans were singing Danny’s name and a month later they’re frustrated with Danny.”
“Our job, as those who run this club, is to not let it go on that roller-coaster ride. We need to be even-keeled and ensure that, step by step, we move this club towards success. Danny is part of that.”
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