Outpoll | 'Rohl exits Rangers running as Muscat talks continue'

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'Rohl exits Rangers running as Muscat talks continue' - gossip

'Rohl exits Rangers running as Muscat talks continue' - gossip

23 hours ago7 min read10 comments

The managerial carousel at Ibrox continues its relentless spin, throwing up names, dashed hopes, and complex negotiations with the chaotic energy of a cup final penalty shootout. In a development that feels both dramatic and painfully familiar to the Rangers faithful, Danny Rohl, the highly-regarded former Sheffield Wednesday boss, has formally withdrawn his name from consideration for the head coach vacancy, a decision that reverberates through Scottish football with the force of a misplaced back-pass.Rohl, who had emerged as a serious candidate following a series of what insiders described as ‘positive and detailed’ discussions with the Ibrox hierarchy, ultimately concluded that the timing was not propitious for his own career trajectory, a polite but firm rejection that leaves Rangers scrambling to secure their primary target. This sudden exit from the race, however, is not merely a matter of scheduling conflicts; sources close to the situation suggest Rohl, having been previously overlooked before the ill-fated appointment of Russell Martin, was acutely aware that he was staring down the barrel of a second rejection in a matter of months, with the club’s focus having decisively shifted elsewhere.That ‘elsewhere’ is currently Shanghai, China, where Kevin Muscat, the former Rangers hardman and current manager of Chinese Super League giants Shanghai Port, has now moved into pole position. Talks between Muscat’s representatives and the Glasgow club are reportedly already underway, delving into the granular details of contract terms, but this potential homecoming is fraught with financial and logistical complications.Rangers face the daunting prospect of triggering a release clause in Muscat’s contract, a figure believed to be in the region of £1. 5 million, a significant compensation package for a club perpetually scrutinizing its balance sheet.Furthermore, the defending Chinese champions are understandably reluctant to release their leader mid-campaign, with Muscat himself expressing a professional preference to see out the final four games of the season and secure what would be a second consecutive league title before embarking on his return to Scotland. This delicate dance of timing and finance opens a window for other contenders, and in a twist befitting a transfer saga, former West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic, currently unattached since his departure from Saudi side Al-Fateh, has now been thrust into the frame as a potential rival to Muscat, adding another layer of intrigue to a process that has already seen its fair share of false dawns.The spectre of Steven Gerrard, meanwhile, continues to loom large over Ibrox, with bookmakers’ odds fluctuating wildly despite assurances from within the club that a dramatic return for the legendary title-winner is not on the cards after he dropped out of the running over the weekend. This managerial vortex at Rangers creates ripple effects across the footballing landscape, not least for the Swedish national team, who are also on the hunt for a new leader after sacking Jon Dahl Tomasson.In a curious subplot, Aberdeen’s Jimmy Thelin, a manager who himself was in the mix for the Ibrox hot seat in a previous cycle, now finds his name on the Swedish FA’s shortlist, a testament to his growing reputation. Meanwhile, the collateral damage of this ongoing uncertainty is felt in the Rangers dressing room, where players like Nicolas Raskin openly speak of hoping to ‘feel the love’ from the next boss, a poignant admission that highlights the personal toll of institutional instability on individual careers. As the club navigates this critical juncture, the decision on who ultimately takes the helm will be more than just a simple appointment; it will be a definitive statement of ambition, financial pragmatism, and footballing philosophy, a choice that will either steady the ship for a sustained title challenge or risk seeing it drift further into the turbulent waters of also-ran status.