Danny Rohl has at last been confirmed as the new manager of Scottish Premiership side Rangers. The former Sheffield Wednesday boss, who had previously ruled himself out of the running, has succeeded Russell Martin in the hotseat in Glasgow. Rohl will take charge of Rangers for the first time on Thursday night when they take on SK Brann in the Europa League.

Rangers finally get their man

Rangers' hunt for a new manager has been anything but simple following Martin's departure after a dismal start to the new campaign in Scotland. Rohl initially rejected the chance to join the club, while Steven Gerrard also turned down the opportunity to head back to Glasgow for another stint as boss, having delivered the club's first Permiership title in a full decade back in 2020-21. Former Rangers defender Kevin Muscat was also mentioned as a possible option for the Gers, but talks over a move broke down, and it's now been made official that Rohl is the club's new first-team coach.

A club statement read: "Rangers Football Club today confirms the appointment of Danny Rohl as men’s first-team head coach. Rohl was most recently in charge of Sheffield Wednesday, and now joins Rangers on an initial two-and-a-half-year deal."

In theory, the 36-year-old German has until the end of the 2027-28 season.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportRohl says 'no time to waste' at Rangers

Even after previously turning the role down, Rohl has spoken already of his pride at taking over at Rangers and is eager to get down to work.

He told the club's website "It is a huge privilege to be taking on the role of head coach at such an incredible club, recognised around the world. I know it has been a difficult start to the season, but there is still so much to play for in four competitions, and my staff and I will give it everything to reward the supporters and the club. We have no time to waste, we start straight away.

"I respect that trust is earned and understand we have to give the supporters confidence in what we are doing by showing it on the pitch from the start. The expectations are huge and I love this challenge because I set high standards for myself and the team too. I'm looking forward to meeting the squad and getting down to work ahead of Thursday’s game away to Brann."

Rangers in need of big boost

Rohl takes over a Rangers side that has somehow managed just one win from eight Scottish Premiership games so far this season. The Glasgow giants have taken just nine points from a dreadful start to the new campaign and are just three points above bottom side Livingston. 

Rohl arrives after departing Sheffield Wednesday in the summer by mutual consent. He successfully avoided relegation twice with the struggling club and also finished 12th in the Championship. He will now be charged with turning around the team's fortunes and can also call on previous coaching experience with RB Leipzig, Southampton, Bayern Munich and Germany.

Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh is confident he's got the right man for the job. He told the club media: "Danny's experience at elite level, in high-pressure environments, makes him a strong fit for what we expect here. We know the past few months have been challenging, but our focus has always been on getting the right person, who is ready to immediately embrace this football club and the demands that come with it. Danny impressed us with his vision, his character, and his understanding of what Rangers stands for. We believe he can help restore pride, momentum, and ultimately success."

Sporting director Kevin Thelwell added: "Danny has the qualities required to succeed here, allied with being an exceptional coach. He has worked in some of the most demanding football environments in the world, where winning is the only expectation, and we believe that background has prepared him for Rangers."

Getty Images SportEuropa League awaits Rohl first up

Rohl kicks off his tenure at Rangers in the Europa League against Brann and will be hoping to guide his team to their first points in the competition after starting off with disappointing defeats to Sturm Graz and Genk. Rangers then go on to face Kilmarnock and Hibernian in the league before a crunch clash against bitter rivals Celtic in the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup.