Rangers are once again facing a familiar and uncomfortable situation as uncertainty grows around the future of their head coach Danny Rohl. The German manager was expected to lead the club into a new season with stability and fresh ideas after being backed by the board at the end of the campaign. However, football rarely stays still for long, and now reports are suggesting that Rohl could already be on his way out of Ibrox before he has even truly settled into the role.
The situation has developed quickly and has caught many supporters off guard. Just when it looked like Rangers were preparing for a structured rebuild, fresh claims have emerged linking Rohl with a move to Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg. According to reports from Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, Salzburg are actively pushing to appoint him as their new manager, and discussions between the clubs have already started. This means the Scottish club may soon have to prepare for life without a manager they only recently trusted with a long-term project.
The timing could not be more sensitive. Rangers are approaching pre-season preparations, and the summer transfer window is about to open. This is usually the period when clubs build foundations, strengthen their squads, and develop tactical identity ahead of a new campaign. Instead, Rangers find themselves dealing with uncertainty at the top, something that has become too familiar in recent years.
Rohl’s time at Rangers has been a mixed but promising start. While he showed flashes of progress and tactical improvement, the end of the 2025/26 season raised questions. The team struggled in the final stretch of the campaign, losing four of their last five league matches after the split in the Scottish Premiership. That poor run of form meant Rangers finished third in the table and fell ten points behind the champions. For a club of Rangers’ size and ambition, that gap is not acceptable, and it has only added pressure on everyone involved.
Despite that, the board reportedly still had confidence in Rohl at the end of the season. They believed he needed time to build his squad and fully implement his style of play. Many supporters also agreed that he deserved patience, especially given his reputation as a modern, intelligent coach who had impressed during his time at Sheffield Wednesday. But football decisions are rarely just about patience, and interest from other clubs can change everything very quickly.
Red Bull Salzburg’s interest has now changed the conversation completely. Salzburg are known for their aggressive recruitment strategy when it comes to managers and young coaches. They focus on modern football ideas, pressing systems, and developing talent, which makes Rohl a natural fit for their model. If they are serious about appointing him, it will be difficult for Rangers to compete, both financially and structurally.
As soon as the news broke, attention immediately turned to one obvious question. If Rohl leaves, who replaces him? Rangers have been in this position before, and history shows that every managerial change at Ibrox brings intense debate, pressure, and speculation. The name that always returns to the surface in situations like this is Steven Gerrard.
Gerrard remains one of the most iconic modern managers in Rangers history. His time at the club is still remembered for one major achievement that defined his legacy in Glasgow. He led Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title in the 2020/21 season, ending Celtic’s dominance and preventing them from winning ten league titles in a row. That achievement alone secured his place in the hearts of many supporters, and his name has never fully disappeared from managerial discussions at Ibrox since he left.
However, the situation now is more complicated than nostalgia. Gerrard has been out of work since leaving Al-Ettifaq, and his managerial record since departing Rangers has raised questions. His spell at Aston Villa did not go as planned, and his time in Saudi Arabia was also inconsistent. While he still carries respect as a coach, the reality is that his recent results have not matched the expectations that come with managing a club like Rangers.
This has led some analysts and supporters to suggest that Rangers should look in a different direction rather than relying on a return to the past. The argument is that football moves quickly, and what worked once may not work again, especially with changing squads, different backroom staff, and new tactical demands.
This is where another name has started to gain serious attention. Former RB Leipzig and Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is now being discussed as a strong candidate who could potentially be a major upgrade for Rangers if Rohl leaves.
Hasenhuttl has built a reputation as a high-intensity, modern coach with experience in both the Bundesliga and the Premier League. His career has taken him through different levels of football, where he has shown an ability to adapt, develop players, and compete in difficult environments. He is currently without a club after leaving Wolfsburg, which makes him an available option at a time when Rangers may need a proven manager quickly.
His experience stands out when compared to other candidates. Hasenhuttl has managed almost 300 games across top European leagues, including over 150 in the Premier League and more than 140 in the Bundesliga. That level of experience in elite competitions is something few managers linked with Rangers can match. It also shows that he has dealt with pressure, expectations, and high-level tactical challenges throughout his career.
He is also known for his intense playing style. His teams are usually aggressive, fast, and structured around pressing opponents high up the pitch. This approach has worked in both Germany and England, where he achieved strong results with limited resources. At Southampton, for example, he helped the team compete above expectations for long periods, earning respect for his tactical clarity and discipline.
Rangers, meanwhile, have often struggled with consistency in recent years. They have shown flashes of quality but have failed to maintain dominance over a full season. This is why some believe a coach like Hasenhuttl could bring structure and stability, especially in high-pressure matches where tactical organisation is crucial.
If Salzburg complete their move for Rohl, Rangers will be forced into a quick decision. The board will need to act decisively to avoid a long period of uncertainty. The wrong appointment could set the club back further, especially with Celtic continuing to strengthen and dominate domestically.
At the same time, expectations at Ibrox remain extremely high. The supporters want trophies, consistency, and European competitiveness. Any new manager will not be given a long settling period, which means experience and proven quality will be essential.
That is why the conversation around Hasenhuttl is gaining momentum. Compared to Gerrard, who would represent a nostalgic return, Hasenhuttl represents a modern and experienced alternative. Compared to Rohl, he would bring significantly more experience at the highest level of European football. And compared to less proven candidates, he offers a track record of managing under pressure in elite leagues.
Still, nothing is guaranteed in football, and Rangers will need to carefully assess all options before making a decision. The next few weeks could shape the future of the club for years to come.
