Danny Rohl quits Rangers for Salzburg as McInnes set for Ibrox return
German leaves after eight months with Hearts boss Derek McInnes expected to be confirmed as his successor within days.
Danny Rohl has left Rangers after just eight months in charge to become head coach of Red Bull Salzburg on a three-year deal, with the Ibrox club confirming that an announcement on his successor will follow shortly.
Hearts head coach (and former Rangers player) Derek McInnes is expected to be confirmed as Rangers’ new boss in the coming days, as the club prepare to appoint a third manager within the past year.
Rohl, 37, took over from Russell Martin in October and initially revived Rangers’ season, guiding the side into a three-way Premiership title race. However, a damaging post-split collapse saw the Ibrox side finish third behind eventual league champions Celtic and second place Hearts, ending the campaign without silverware.
Despite chairman Andrew Cavenagh publicly backing the German at the end of the season, Rohl has opted to return to the Red Bull network, having previously worked within the system at RB Leipzig under Ralph Hasenhuttl.
“I’d like to thank Danny for his service and commitment to Rangers,” Cavenagh said. “He and his staff put in a significant amount of hard work during his time in charge, which we are greatly appreciative of. We wish them the best of luck moving forward.”
Rohl departs Ibrox with a record of 22 wins, 11 defeats and seven draws from his 40 matches in charge.
His move comes as Salzburg look to recover from a disappointing campaign in which they finished third in the Austrian Bundesliga, their lowest placing in two decades, and sacked Daniel Beichler after just 14 games. The club will enter next season’s Europa League at the third qualifying round, the same stage as Rangers.
Speaking to Red Bull Salzburg’s official website, Rohl said he was “incredibly excited” to take on the role.
“I’m already familiar with the club from my previous coaching experience and know what opportunities exist here, the quality within the club, and the ambitious aims they pursue,” he said. “Salzburg stands for courageous, intense, and attacking football – a style I strongly identify with.
“Our aim has to be to bring titles back to Salzburg and to represent the club successfully on the European stage. We will work hard every day to achieve this.”