Rangers latest: Kevin Muscat move collapses with Danny Rohl back in contention | Football news
Danny Rohl is among those back in contention for the Rangers head coaching job following a breakdown in talks with Kevin Muscat, Sky Sports News understand.
Rohl withdrew from the process after learning that others were ahead of him in the race to succeed Russell Martin.
However, with Muscat and Steven Gerrard out of the running, the former Sheffield Wednesday boss could still land the head coaching job.
Ibrox sources insist the club have spoken to various candidates in recent days, despite being in advanced talks with Muscat.
It is believed a meeting could be made in the coming days, with Rangers in action on Thursday against Brann in the Europa League – a competition in which they are winless this season.
Rohl, 36, was also interviewed for the job in the summer and impressed the Ibrox hierarchy during his interviews.
He led Sheffield Wednesday to 12th place in the Sky Bet Championship in his only full season as manager before leaving the struggling Yorkshire club in July.
Previously assistant manager of RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and the German national team, he had avoided relegation trouble during the previous campaign on Wednesday.
Muscat agreement fails
Muscat’s Chinese Super League campaign with Shanghai Port ended transfer to Rangers
Talks had reached an advanced stage with Muscat, who is currently in charge of Shanghai Port, and he was expected to take over from Russell Martin after the Chinese Super League campaign.
However, the deadlines set for reaching an agreement are believed to have proved problematic. While the final Shanghai Port Championship match will be held on November 22, Sky Sports News We were told the start date could have been delayed until December.
Shanghai Port currently sits at the top of the Chinese Super League by two points, two points ahead of its closest challengers.
Last weekend, former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard withdrew from the process, with timing seen as an issue.
In the days that followed, former Sheffield Wednesday boss Rohl then withdrew from the process as negotiations with Muscat progressed.
Negotiations with Thelwell & Stewart did not lead to the failure of the Muscat agreement
Kevin Muscat has guided teams to championship titles in Australia, Japan and China.
Ibrox chairman Andrew Cavenagh – who led the United States’ takeover of the club this summer – and vice-chairman Paraag Marathe led the search and spoke to various candidates.
They were joined by 49ers technical director Enterprises Gretar Steinsson, Gers CEO Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell in London for the negotiations.
Reports earlier on Sunday suggested the move fell through following talks between Muscat, Stewart and Thelwell. However, these claims were dismissed by Ibrox sources.
Rangers insist they remain in talks with various candidates and hope to name Martin’s successor in the coming days.
What’s next for the Rangers and who will be in charge?
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Interim head coach Steven Smith wants to do the right thing for Rangers fans
Martin was sacked on October 5 after a 123-day spell at Ibrox.
Under-19s coach Steven Smith – who had two spells at Ibrox as a player – was in caretaker charge for Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Dundee Utd.
Before the game, Smith said he was “determined” to make fans happy amid a period of turmoil.
Rangers return to action on Thursday at Brann in the Europa League – a competition in which they are winless this season.
” EMBARRASSING ! » What Boyd said about recruiting Rangers managers
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Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd has criticized the club for their lengthy search for a new manager as the Gers attempt to replace Russell Martin.
News of Muscat’s bid to become Rangers manager collapsing comes hours after Kris Boyd criticized the Rangers board over their process of recruiting a replacement for Martin.
“There is something broken within the football club at the moment,” Boyd told Aerial sports.
“The fans are fed up, it’s been a long time since Rangers have been a successful football club.
“You expect to go and win trophies. But first and foremost, you have to win games to do that. There are a lot more problems that are deeper than the manager. Russell Martin was dismissed, you see the same things happening again.
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A look at Russell Martin’s 123-day tenure as Rangers head coach
“There is no unity between the stands and the hierarchy. We have the impression that the clubs are going in one direction. The supporters are investing their money.
“It’s not like Russell Martin is doing really well. Two weeks ago he was relieved of his duties. The five or six weeks before that were just as bad.
“Surely, for this succession plan, you have someone in place or you are already talking with someone. The long process over the last two weeks has been embarrassing for the football club.”
“The meeting with Steven Gerrard took place in London. Why didn’t someone fly to Bahrain and meet Steven Gerrard before arriving at that time?” I don’t buy the timing. Nothing changes in five or six hours.
Steven Gerrard has withdrawn from negotiations with Rangers
“Steven Gerrard listened to what was happening and said ‘enough is enough, I don’t want to be involved in this’.
“There was something he didn’t like in the background that made him say, ‘I don’t want that.’
“Then all of a sudden it was Danny Rohl who took the blame. Then there was an explosion of fans on social media. They made it clear that they didn’t want Danny Rohl anywhere near the club.
“Then all of a sudden it’s Muscat. I know this board hasn’t been in charge for long, but this is a guy who has been overlooked in the last three management appointments.”
