Rangers close to appointing Steven Gerrard after dramatic U-turn; talks also held with Danny Rohl

In a whirlwind 24 hours, Rangers have moved back toward appointing Steven Gerrard as their new manager after indications he had withdrawn from the race. Club sources indicate a near full agreement is now on the table, marking a dramatic U-turn and echoing the stop-start feel of negotiations over the summer. Parallel conversations have also taken place with Danny Rohl, keeping alternative options alive while final details with Gerrard are hammered out. The sudden shift reflects an urgency at Ibrox to install a head coach swiftly and decisively, with expectations that clarity could arrive imminently if final terms and staff structure are agreed.

Talks accelerated in Glasgow after a near-agreement the previous day reportedly stalled, prompting suggestions Gerrard had stepped back. Overnight dialogue reopened, with renewed momentum toward a full agreement. Rangers have also sounded out Danny Rohl as part of a multi-track process, ensuring contingency if the leading option wavers. Broadcast reports linked to talkSPORT added fuel to the rapid swings in sentiment, as internal discussions focused on contract length, staff appointments, and immediate squad planning. The club aims to conclude swiftly to stabilize the dressing room and prepare for upcoming fixtures in domestic and European competition.

Steven Gerrard has pulled out of the race to be the new #Rangers manager. Agreement was close yesterday. Feels like history repeating from the summer. Rangers have spoken to Danny Rohl. With @JacobsBen for @talkSPORT

@alex_crook

Impact Analysis

If consummated, Gerrard’s return would be a high-impact appointment both competitively and commercially. Tactically, his previous Ibrox tenure delivered a well-drilled 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 hybrid built on structure without the ball, fast wide transitions, and aggressive pressing from the front. That blueprint brought Rangers’ transformative 2020/21 title and would offer an immediate identity reset. The current squad—reliant on dynamic wide areas and ball-winning midfield profiles—aligns with Gerrard’s core principles, enabling a relatively quick on-pitch integration. His pull in the market could also unlock loan and permanent targets otherwise out of reach, particularly from the Premier League.

Beyond tactics, Gerrard’s brand power would likely boost gate receipts, sponsorship conversations, and player retention, sending a message of ambition in the title race. It would also sharpen the narrative in Glasgow: a recognizable figure who understands the pressure-cooker context and the requirement to win now. The potential downside is the noise and expectation that accompanies any high-profile return; it demands immediate results and leaves little runway for experimentation.

Should negotiations falter, Danny Rohl represents a forward-looking alternative: a progressive, detail-oriented coach with a modern pressing identity and strong reputation for player development. His appointment would skew long-term upside—even if it invites a brief bedding-in period. Either way, Rangers’ approach suggests a decisive pivot to a clear, high-tempo footballing model.

Reaction

Fan sentiment has swung wildly with the fast-changing brief. Initial claims that Gerrard had withdrawn prompted rival supporters to mock the uncertainty, while some Rangers fans voiced frustration at another managerial chase turning into a cliffhanger. As reports flipped toward a near full agreement, the mood inside the Rangers camp shifted to guarded optimism—tempered by a sense of déjà vu from earlier in the year. The whiplash generated the usual folklore: jokes about taxis, private jets, and last-minute U-turns became meme-fodder across timelines.

Outside Ibrox, rivals reveled in the chaos, using the confusion to needle Rangers’ decision-makers and stir doubts about the process. Within the Rangers community, a segment backed a different direction entirely—praising Danny Rohl’s coaching credentials and prior working relationships, and pitching him as a forward-looking alternative to a reunion. Others warned against repeating past cycles and urged the board to finalize a strong appointment swiftly, regardless of name value.

In short: excitement is real, skepticism hasn’t vanished, and the conversation is polarized between the security of a proven figurehead and the intrigue of a modern, developmental coach. The common thread is urgency—fans want clarity, a plan, and momentum.

Social reactions

But defo is in a taxi an there’s a private jet to bring them to Glasgow 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Joe🍀 (@JosephB97101651)

We'll see how it ends

Last (@Laassstttt_)

Rohl will be quality. Worked with Gassama before too.

Dan Rawlings-Smith (@drawlingssmith)

Prediction

The most probable scenario is a rapid conclusion in Gerrard’s favor, with an announcement window in the near term if final clauses—staffing, contract duration, performance triggers—are ironed out. Expect a lean backroom built on trusted lieutenants, immediate meetings with recruitment to define January priorities, and a quick audit of fitness and tactical suitability to his preferred press-and-break model. The focus would pivot to solidifying defensive structure, energizing wide channels, and re-establishing a pressing baseline that translates well to domestic fixtures.

Should the deal stumble late—never impossible in fast-moving negotiations—Rangers would escalate talks with Danny Rohl. That pathway would emphasize a multi-year project: high-intensity training, clear development plans for emerging players, and data-led recruitment to build a cohesive, modern squad profile. Short-term turbulence might follow as principles bed in, but the medium-term ceiling could be high.

Either appointment points to a more assertive identity: proactive out of possession, direct and vertical in transition, and structured in rest defense. Expect swift squad decisions and decisive messaging to quell noise and reclaim narrative control.

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Conclusion

Rangers have engineered a decisive late swing. A day that began with withdrawal whispers now leans strongly toward a Gerrard reunion, underlining both the club’s urgency and its willingness to revisit a proven partnership. The calculation is straightforward: minimize transition time, maximize impact, and re-ignite belief in the title race with a manager who understands the demands at Ibrox. At the same time, parallel dialogue with Danny Rohl shows a board determined to avoid dead-ends—keeping a progressive option alive should final details wobble.

Clarity is the currency now. Conclude the process, define standards on and off the ball, and move quickly on personnel decisions. Whether it’s Gerrard’s immediate authority or Rohl’s modern project, the next appointment must deliver identity and stability. The fans have spoken with equal parts hope and exasperation; the club’s job is to turn momentum into action. The finish line is in sight—Rangers cannot afford to blink.