Gerrard? McInnes? What next for Rangers if Rohl leaves?

Published 12 June 2026

With players set to report for pre-season training within the next week or so, Rangers might soon be searching for their third manager in the span of a year.

RB Salzburg are reportedly holding discussions with Danny Rohl to appoint him as their new head coach, and while that is far from certain, Rangers supporters are already contemplating what the upcoming season might entail without the German at the helm.

Although Rohl managed to pull Rangers back into the title race following a dreadful start under Russell Martin last season, dropping four of their final five matches to end up in third place weakened his standing with many fans.

Interest from both Germany and now Austria in the 37-year-old has been simmering for some time, and it could be advantageous for both him and Rangers to bring their eight-month partnership to a close.

If that scenario unfolds, what lies ahead for Ibrox?

A comeback for Steven Gerrard? A move for Hearts head coach Derek McInnes? Or a broader hunt for the individual capable of revitalizing Rangers?

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Could Gerrard make a return to Rangers once more?

Gerrard stated he was "very close" to coming back to Ibrox when Martin was dismissed last October, before Rohl was hired as an alternative.

"There were a few things I was uncertain about," the former Liverpool captain remarked in November last year.

"And if I'm going to take a challenge that big and that important - I've got that affection and connection with Rangers - for me to take that on again it had to be perfect and I had to be 100% ready."

One aspect Gerrard was said to be "uncertain" about was collaborating with the Rangers leadership at the time, including sporting director Kevin Thelwell.

Gerrard has never been explicit on this point, but with Thelwell and chief executive Patrick Stewart both dismissed following a disastrous start to last season, the Liverpool legend would be entering a transformed club.

Rangers have not directly replaced Thelwell, which might appeal to Gerrard, who would likely desire more influence over recruitment.

He also found it challenging to replicate the same impact at Aston Villa and Saudi club Al-Ettifaq as he achieved at Ibrox, where he remains highly regarded by fans for delivering their most recent title in 2021.

"I think I suit a certain job; the passionate crowd - I need to try and feed off that," Gerrard told The Smith Brothers' podcast in December.

"Something has to match my skillset, if you know what I mean. I am looking for the right match. Rangers was perfect, I was really close to going up there again."

Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh and his consortium's continued readiness to invest in the squad would also be enticing to Gerrard, who became frustrated by what he perceived as insufficient backing toward the end of his first stint.

Will McInnes be considered?

Given his experience and achievements in Scottish football, along with his playing history with Rangers, McInnes has frequently been mentioned as a potential candidate for the club's managerial role.

He once turned down the opportunity to become manager, opting to remain at Aberdeen back in 2017. That occurred during a period when Rangers were struggling as a club, and the Pittodrie side were Celtic's primary challengers.

However, it might be just as significant a challenge for the Ibrox hierarchy to convince him to leave Hearts nine years later, considering his historic first season at Tynecastle.

They were minutes away from a first league title since 1960 before falling to a late defeat by Celtic, who secured the Premiership crown.

Before Rohl took charge in October, McInnes was questioned about the vacancy but made it clear he was dedicated to Hearts, even before their remarkable title push gained momentum.

"I love it here," he said. "It's been a long time for me coming here. I always thought this was a job that I wanted to be at. I'm working with some good people.

"I mentioned a few there, the support from [sporting director] Graeme Jones and the board, but the players have been first class in terms of their efforts day in and day out, and, I think for us, we feel we can be successful here, we really do."

McInnes has a strong rapport with Jones, and given the backing from Tony Bloom and his data analytics company, it would be difficult to walk away from that role.

Especially with Hearts set to enter Champions League qualifiers next month.

What about someone else?

Many Rangers fans will think that narrowing options to Gerrard or McInnes, familiar candidates, is counterproductive.

There could be numerous options out there who have worked abroad and achieved success, whom Rangers should consider if Rohl does depart.

While that is certainly true, there is not a lengthy list of so-called 'outsiders' to Rangers who have come in and delivered the level of success demanded.

Dick Advocaat would be one of the few.

There is a unique, almost intangible quality that defines a successful Rangers or Celtic manager. An understanding of the demands, the Glasgow dynamics, and a certain presence are essential.

It is at least part of the reason why both Celtic and Rangers often return to managers who have either previously led the club or at least played for them.

Martin had played for Rangers and lacked those qualities, demonstrating that it certainly does not always work.

Rangers may want to find their own Ange Postecoglou or Jens Berthel Askou.

But with the club finishing third in their first year under new ownership and enduring a five-year league title drought, the hierarchy could be excused for focusing their search.