We take a look at favourites to become new Rangers manager as a shortlist emerges and Steven Gerrard snubs a return to the club.
Steven Gerrard won’t be return as Rangers head coach after he removed himself from the process to become Russell Martin’s successor.
Sky Sports News reports that Rangers had held open and constructive discussions with Gerrard regarding the head coach position on Thursday and Friday.
But, Gerrard felt the timing wasn’t quite right for a return at this stage and confirmed that he did not want to continue in the recruitment process.
Talks between Gerrard and Rangers were understood to be positive throughout and both sides agreed to leave the door open for the future.
He expressed his gratitude for the continued support of the Rangers fans and wished the club every success for the season ahead.
🚨 BREAKING: Steven Gerrard will not become the next Rangers boss.
Sky Sports News understands that despite constructive talks, Gerrard felt the timing wasn’t right and has withdrawn from the process. More ⤵️
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 11, 2025
🔵 Rangers remain in talks with various candidates as they look to appoint a new head coach.
Danny Rohl is one option who has impressed, but Graham Potter and Gary O’Neil are not on Rangers’ final shortlist. More ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/SxdWUWsBhN
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 12, 2025
Sky Sports reporter: “Yeah, I think it certainly feels like Danny Rohl would be one of the main names in the frame, not the only one, but certainly one that’s attracting a bit of attention.
“He’s been spoken to by Rangers, by all accounts those talks were fairly constructive and positive, throw into the mix the fact that he was under consideration back in the summer when Russell Martin was appointed.
“So it makes sense that if you’re drawing up a shortlist just four months ago and you believe those people could do a job, you would revisit some of that shortlist a couple of months down the line.
“Danny Rohl, of course, available, having left Sheffield Wednesday as well. But as I mentioned, he is only one of the names.
“Rangers are still looking to do this properly and thoroughly and make sure they get the right man in the end.
“The likes of Michael Carrick, Kieran McKenna, Ralph Hasenhuttl, who, of all, have been linked.
“Another couple of names worth noting. The likes of Gary O’Neil, who was linked with the job previously again in the summer and Graham Potter, but it does not look like they will end up on Rangers final shortlist.
“So still a number of names in the frame as Rangers look towards this. I think for the Rangers fans, it’s more about the shock of last night.
“They’re still digesting that. I think most of them thought it would be Steven Gerrard. Most of them had their hopes up and now looking at what comes next.
“There’s quite a few hats in the frame there, names in the hat, I should say, quite a few names in the frame. So how soon then do Rangers want someone to come in?
“Rangers gave themselves about as long as they possibly could over an international break. Russell Martin was sacked about five hours after the final whistle when they drew at Falkirk in the previous game. Got the whole fortnight really until they welcome Dundee United here at the weekend.
“But I do think there is a real pressure on Rangers to obviously get this right. I think that would be first and foremost.
“Maybe some Rangers fans would be willing to give it an extra day or two if it meant getting the right man. But Russell Martin left with all of his backroom staff pretty much.
“There’s no real obvious candidates to lead the team into the game against Dundee United.
“Stephen Smith, the youth team coach, has been taking training for the players not away on international duty this weekend. And let’s take into account the full PR side of this for Rangers.
“Russell Martin was unpopular to begin with. It then didn’t go well.
“The fan’s favourite choice for this appointment was Steven Gerrard. That’s now not going to happen. So it does feel like they’re under increasing in pressure, firstly, to get it right, but maybe to have someone in place by Dundee United here on Saturday.
FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW RANGERS MANAGER:
BetVictor – 12th October
Danny Rohl – 4/7
Kevin Muscat – 4/1
Derek McInnes – 4/1
Slaven Bilic – 6/1
Sean Dyche – 8/1
Barry Ferguson – 12/1
Graham Potter – 16/1
Mark van Bommel – 16/1
Bruno Lage – 16/1
Roger Schmidt – 16/1
Gary O’Neil – 20/1
Michael Carrick – 20/1
🗣️ “How many times have Rangers got to get the message here?”
Tom English and Michael Stewart discuss Steven Gerrard turning down the Ibrox club as they continue their search for a new manager.
📻 Listen now to BBC Sportsound on @BBCRadioscot and @BBCSounds#BBCFootbal pic.twitter.com/lPqmy1Qzo0
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) October 12, 2025
🗣️ “Why would Derek McInnes leave Hearts for Rangers?”
📻 Listen now to BBC Sportsound on @BBCRadioscot and @BBCSounds as Tom English, Michael Stewart and Billy Dodds discuss the managerial situation at Rangers.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/VdhjU7IG6w
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) October 12, 2025
On why Gerrard pulled out: “It’s been put down to a timing issue on Steven Gerrard’s side. Of course, he flew in from the Middle East. The Rangers delegation flew down to London. They had talks on Thursday. They were described as constructive. They were believed to be heading in certainly a positive direction.
“So they spoke again on Friday, but then they knew as emerging last night that he will not be in the running. And it has been put down, that’s our belief, to a timing issue on Stephen Gerrard’s behalf, whether he felt there were just certain circumstances.
“On his side of things that he couldn’t quite iron out at the moment then, fair enough. I think it is worth noting and I appreciate there’s an element of speculation, but it’s important to reflect how the Rangers fans are feeling this morning.
“I think many of them are waking up wondering that if it is just a timing issue, why did both parties let it get to the stage where they flew to London, there was a second round of talks.
“I think they’re perhaps wondering if there are other issues here. Maybe Steven Gerrard felt that having to work in Rangers current structure which is different to the structure he left when he was the manager. He would now be returning as a head coach.
“Maybe that’s a question down the line for Steven Gerrard or for Rangers. But one thing’s for sure, it won’t be him and attention now turns to who is next.”
Fans reacted as the favourites to become new Rangers manager and a shortlist emerges while Steven Gerrard snubs a return to Ibrox…
@melvill3_b:
Philip impressed ✅
Warburton impressed ✅
Pedro impressed ✅
Murty impressed ✅
Giovanni impressed ✅
Beal impressed ✅
Russell impressed ✅
I’m not the cleverest but I detect a pattern ✅😭😂🤣😁
@Man8483768248: What is clear is the Americans don’t have a fucking clue. They’re at the stage of throwing shit at the wall and seeing what sticks.
@CF3Loyal: We should be all over Kieran McKenna if there’s even a remote possibility of him coming up to Scotland
@JackMcM55: Kieran McKenna is the best of that shortlist and if there’s a possibility of him coming to Ibrox, we should be trying everything to get him.
@Ryan_Graham96: They’ll be riots if the appointed Rohl. Just a German Russell Martin, clubs not got a Fucken clue from top to bottom
@CSLM84:
Rangers fans know our club better than anyone.
We said Martin would be shite he was.
We’ve said numerous managers would be shite they have been.
We are now saying Rohl will be shite.
He will be.
It needs to be McInnes or Muscat
Listen to the fans
@RangersFC
Give the job to Barry Ferguson @RangersFC pic.twitter.com/lQgBVZPA8n
— The Rangers End RSC (@TheRangersEnd) October 11, 2025
Former West Ham and Croatia boss Slaven Bilic is under consideration for the Rangers job after Steven Gerrard withdrew from the running for the job at Ibrox. #Rangers pic.twitter.com/52hUbN7k7W
— Pete O’Rourke (@SportsPeteO) October 12, 2025
Absolutely clueless. Jobs for the boys bullshit. Get these clowns out the club before the stadium is empty. pic.twitter.com/agMXAgEOFu
— Del McDonald (@DelMc1872) October 12, 2025
The clock is ticking and the owners need to make that call before it’s completely gone. They had the solution in their grasp but stubbornness could cost them much more than they realise. They need to go now and get it done! All of it!@RangersFC @ibroxrocks @4ladshadadream pic.twitter.com/WIKB7kA5Hy
— StewartOut (@TheRealBigMurdy) October 12, 2025
