Rangers

Claire Thomson
BBC Sport Scotland

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New Rangers head coach Danny Rohl is "very much influenced" by Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, according to German journalist Taufig Khalil.

The 36-year-old worked with Flick at Bayern Munich and as assistant manager of the Germany national team following coaching stints at RB Leipzig and Southampton under Ralph Hasenhuttl.

During his time at Bayern, Flick held one of the highest win rates in football history, winning 83% of his games and helping the side average 3.0 goals per game across all competitions.

And Khalil, from German broadcaster ARD in Munich, suggests fans can expect a similar attacking style of football from Rohl, inspired by his mentor.

As Rohl prepares for his first game as Rangers boss in Thursday's Europa League tie at Brann, Khalil told BBC Scotland: "For Danny, spreading optimism is very important. He wants to live it and show that to his players.

"He was very successful during his time in Munich. He won the sextuple with Hansi Flick - whatever the competition was, they won it.

"He'd had a lot of offers from clubs in the German Bundesliga in the last few months, like Hamburg, Wolfsburg and Bremen. Whenever there was a team looking for a coach, his name was on the table.

"His favourite tactical style is 4-2-3-1, it's the system he played for a very long time with Flick - it was his favourite system. It's in his DNA.

"It's standing safe in the back but playing very offensive football with a lot of pressure on the other team.

"Rohl likes to attack the other team so that the opposition lose the ball very deep in their own half. That's what Flick did in Barcelona and Munich and Rohl is very much influenced by Flick."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Norway

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Thelo Aasgaard believes Danny Rohl's high-intensity style of play will suit him as he looks to flourish after a "disappointing start" to his Rangers career.

The Norway winger netted his first goal for the club in Saturday's Premiership draw with Dundee United, which was overseen by interim boss Stevie Smith, and hopes to kick on under Rohl, who takes charge for the first time in Thursday's Europa League tie at Brann.

"With the start of the season it's been tough but individually I'm always going to strive for more. Hopefully the last game was a little bit of what I can do," said the 23-year-old.

"[Scoring the goal] was an unbelievable feeling. The goal came a bit later than I wanted it to. I'm growing into the team.

"It's been intense and the demand's very high but so it should be when you're playing for such a big club.

"It's an honour. I'll never step on the pitch and not be grateful to wear the shirt. I'll just try and be myself and obviously the pressure comes but I've enjoyed embracing it at times and I'm sure we've got plenty more positive days to come."

Of Rohl, Aasgaard said: "He wants us to play with big intensity on and off the ball. I think he has mentioned a lot about his pressing style of play. I think that also can suit me.

"I can use my presence but also take my calmness on the ball and try and work my way into the system.

"I think it will take a while for us to be fully prepared in a match as a perfect team. I'm really looking forward to that process."

While focusing on club commitments, Aasgaard admits the prospect of Norway securing a place at next summer's World Cup "is a motivation".

Norway sit top of their qualifying group, three points ahead of Italy.

"Every player's got their own motivation. I spoke about that when I signed," he said.

"It's a big reason for me coming here, playing European football in the main league of a really tough division where I can show my quality.

"That's a big incentive for me."

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• Brann have won five home games in a row and sit third in the Norwegian top flight, seven points behind leaders Viking but with a game in hand.

• Brann beat St Mirren in their only previous meetings with a Scottish side, drawing 1-1 in Paisley before a 3-1 home win in the 2024-25 Conference League qualifying phase.

• Rangers have yet to lose, or concede a goal, in four meetings with Norwegian sides, their most recent being a 2-0 win over Molde in the Uefa Cup in September 2006.

• Brann have won five of their past seven home European matches (including qualifiers, losing the other two), winning 1-0 against Utrecht on their last outing - their first home major European match for 17 years.

• Including qualifiers, Rangers have lost their past five European matches, conceding 14 goals, their worst run being six between September and November 2022 in the Champions League.

• Rangers winger Djeidi Gassama scored their only goal in the Europa League this season and has made 21 ball carries ending in the opposition penalty area, five more than any other player.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland in Norway

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Rangers head coach Danny Rohl says achieving European success as an assistant manager has given him the desire to repeat the feat as a manager.

Rohl was Bayern Munich assistant when they won the Champions League in 2020 and has ambitions to win on the European stage as a manager.

"If you win titles as a head coach, it's amazing," Rohl said before his first match in charge of Rangers, against Europa League opponents Brann.

"I make this experience as assistant coach but as a head coach is the next step. It's a big goal for my career as well and now I have a good opportunity. That means we have the chance to win something but at first we have to start to win games."

The German admits he might not see the "perfect game" from his new team.

"It's not necessary to have the perfect game, it's important to have a successful game," said Rohl.

"I expect a very intensive game. We will face a team who is well organised, play with good pressure. The last two days I saw a lot of good things. I know it's training and tomorrow it's an official game, it's a different kind, but how the players act, how open-minded they were, how they talk on the pitch, how lively - it makes me very positive."

On Brann being seen as favourites in Norway, Rohl commented: "At first we see we have zero points and our opponent has three points. That means they won one more game than us.

"There is a reason at the moment why they are doing really well and maybe they have the advantage. It's not a bad thing to be underdog. It's smart sometimes to go in a game if you have the right mindset."

Head coach Danny Rohl is asked about Rangers' chances of a trophy this season before their Europa League match at Brann.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has been speaking to the media before his first match in charge - away to Brann in the Europa League.

Here are the key points from his news conference:

• On the mood within the squad, Rohl says it's good to "see a smile on the players faces again" and that gives him "good belief they are on the right way".

• On how prepared he feels for this match, he says "we have a clear idea, we have a clear plan what we want to do tomorrow here, but it's about the right attitude to come to such a place".

• He also says he expecting "a very intensive game" against a "well organised" Brann side.

• Admits tomorrow he might not see the "perfect game" from his side, but stresses "the perfect game" is not necessary - a win is.

• Hinted at some changes to the starting XI based on who has trained best in the past few days.

• Rohl says winning the Champions League when he was assistant coach at Bayern Munich inspires him to win titles as a head coach.

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New Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has made the first two appointments to his backroom team, being joined at Ibrox by fellow Germans Sascha Lense and Matthias Kaltenbach.

The 50-year-old Lense will be men's first-team performance manager, while Kaltenbach, 10 years his junior, is assistant coach.

Lense, father in law to Germany forward Timo Werner, held the same position under Rohl with Sheffield Wednesday until they departed the Championship club in July.

A former midfielder who played for Zwickau and Darmstadt 98 among other clubs in his country's lower leagues, he also previously worked as a sports psychologist under Ralf Rangnick at RB Leipzig and when the latter was Manchester United's interim manager.

Lense has also had coaching and performance roles with Dynamo Dresden and Schalke 04.

Kaltenbach came through the coaching ranks at Hoffenheim, enjoying a six-year spell as assistant coach with the Bundesliga outfit, where he worked alongside present Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann.

He then joined Ajax's first-team set-up in 2022 as assistant coach to Alfred Schreuder.

Kaltenbach and Lense joined Rohl for his first training session in charge at Rangers' training ground on Wednesday.

Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh tells BBC Scotland the club's new ownership group did not underestimate the challenge they took on in the summer, but have got "several things wrong" during their early stewardship.

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Rangers winger Djeidi Gassama is relishing his reunion with Danny Rohl and has backed the German to spark a change in the club's on-field fortunes.

Following Russell Martin's dismissal at the start of the month amid a dismal start to the season, Rohl was appointed head coach on Monday and begins his tenure at Brann in the Europa League on Thursday.

Gassama previously worked under Rohl at Sheffield Wednesday and says he helped him grow as both a player and person.

"It was good. He is like a father to me. He helped me a lot," Gassama told the Rangers website of his time with Rohl in England.

"When I was at Sheffield Wednesday, I worked with him for 18 months and he gave me a lot of advice, and especially last season I had a good year because of him.

"He taught me how to play my position on the pitch. He loves players to fight for the team and there were a lot of other things - even off the park he helped me a lot to settle in.

"He was good for me. He is a good manager with a lot of good ideas and I think he will help us to win games. It is good for us to have him here.

"I am very excited to work with him again. I think at Rangers we have a lot of talented players and I think the gaffer will help us win games. I think everyone is excited and looking forward to it."

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New Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has split fan opinions as many wait on tenterhooks to see if he is in fact the right match for the Ibrox club.

The former Sheffield Wednesday manager was appointed as Russell Martin's replacement on Monday, but many worry that he lacks the experience required to take on a club with the history and expectation at Ibrox.

But German football commentator Kevin Hatchard is confident Rohl has all the attributes of a Rangers manager and could turn around what has been a disappointing start to the league.

"From the get-go, he was really taking a lot of responsibility at both Leipzig and Southampton, where he worked really closely with Ralph Hasenhuttl," he said.

"Charlie Austin, Southampton's former striker, talked about how he took the lead in terms of team talks and he created a lot of content. It was only because Hasenhuttl's English was better that he would deliver it.

"Tactically, he is very aware, very astute and somebody who's worked in high-pressure environments, because Leipzig at the time were very ambitious and chasing trophies.

"He's dealt with high-pressure situations at the World Cup and he'll know the scale of the task he's walking into. He won't be naive about that.

"The difficulty could be the Rangers' fans' tolerance for a young upcoming manager.

"I understand they would be after someone much more experienced, maybe someone who has worked in Scottish football before, but I do think this is an opportunity for Rangers and for Rohl.

"He's just been at Sheffield Wednesday, an absolute mess, lots of protests against the owner, the owner has overseen a period of real drift at Wednesday, and he had to deal with a lot of things both on and off the pitch.

"He actually kept them up in the Championship despite all of those problems and a lack of resource, so he's dealt with that situation.

"Rohl has that grounding. Whether it's enough to succeed at Ibrox, we'll see, but he is an exciting young coach.

"He's different to Russell Martin. I hope Rangers fans give him a chance because I think, if they do, there is an opportunity to start something quite special."

Midfielder David Watson, whose Kilmarnock contract ends next summer, is keen on a move to Rangers, while the 20-year-old scores highly in Hearts' recruitment system and English Championship clubs are also watching his progress. (TeamTalk), external

Speaking for the first time since dropping out the race to be Rangers head coach, Kevin Muscat said he hopes to continue improving after his Shanghai Port side lost to J-League outfit Machida Zelvia in the Asian Champions League. (Daily Record), external

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick described Danny Rohl "as an absolute expert who shares my vision and ideas about football" after former Bayern Munich midfielder Mehmet Scholl said the new Rangers boss was a "nuisance with an iPad" when he was Flick's assistant with Germany. (Rangers Review), external

With Rennes head coach Habib Beye under pressure, former Rangers manager Philippe Clement has a profile that appeals to the French top-flight club. (Foot Mercato), external

Rangers are hoping to drop the Ibrox pitch to be able to expand the stadium by 4000 seats. (The Herald), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Chairman Andrew Cavenagh is confident newly-appointed head coach Danny Rohl will bring the best out of the underperforming Rangers squad and spark an upturn in results.

Rohl faced the media for the first time on Tuesday afternoon, a mere 24 hours after his appointment as Russell Martin's successor, and was flanked by Cavenagh, sporting director Kevin Thelwell and chief executive Patrick Stewart.

"When we became a part of this club this summer, we talked about two things - sustained winning and winning sustainably," said Cavenagh.

"Four months later, it has obviously not gone as we'd envisaged. We did not expect it to be easy but we also didn't expect to be where we are today.

"Part of that was the decision we made over the summer to appoint Russell as the head coach. It did not go as planned. Russell is a good guy. He worked tirelessly. He wanted desperately to win and I wish him well but it didn't work.

"If something doesn't work, I think there's three things that you need to do. You need to acknowledge it, you need to own it, which I believe that we have done and you need to rectify it and today is a big part in that.

"We are happy to have Danny here as our head coach. I think Danny will be incredibly successful here at Rangers and I think that for three reasons.

"The first is that we were incredibly impressed by his ability to take tactics and actually make them happen on the pitch. A lot of people talk about tactics but you have to actually deliver them on the field. And we're very confident that Danny can do that.

"The second thing is man-management. I think Danny will bring out the best of every one of our players and that we will soon see the best version of each of them.

"And the third is that, while Danny is new to this organisation, I think he gets it and has the ability to create a bond with our supporters, which is so important.

"He knows that winning is the only option. He knows that winning has to happen right away and he knows he has to create that bond with our supporters.

"He is confident, he is technical. He also has a little bit of an edge to him and I think that will serve him well.

"We remain incredibly optimistic about this football club. We still have everything in front of us to play for this year. I think we have yet to see the best of our squad and I look forward to seeing what Danny can bring out of them.

"We know that they have been disappointed it. We recognise that. Everybody at the club is going to work tirelessly to get us back to what everyone so desperately wants, which is winning football matches."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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It's too cliche, probably, to talk about German efficiency and punctuality. Let it be stated for the record, however, that at exactly 3.30pm, as advertised, Danny Rohl walked into the press conference room behind chief executive Patrick Stewart and chairman Andrew Cavenagh.

He was all smiles, like the cat who got the cream. And little wonder. At 36 years of age, and having only managed one side in his own right – Sheffield Wednesday – the former Bayern Munich assistant manager is now the Rangers head coach.

Not the Rangers manager. That point was made very clear throughout. Sporting director Kevin Thelwell re-emphasised the fact his job is to try to work seamlessly with the head coach and bring him the players he wants.

Chairman Cavenagh was of a similar mind, using the phrase head coach and alluding to a structure behind the scenes that mirrors much of what is done elsewhere in modern football.

In excellent English, and beaming from the top table in suit and Rangers club tie, Rohl admitted he has to win, and win early.

Asked what he thought was a reasonable amount of time, given Russell Martin was sacked after just 122 days in charge, he dodged it artfully by saying he just has to get some wins on the board.

I then asked him what qualities he might have that would enable him to deal with the relentless scrutiny that comes with this most demanding of jobs. He reminded me he was assistant coach at Bayern Munich.

With a smile, however, his hands parenthised the 'assistant coach' bit, indicating he did a fair bit of the heavy lifting at the Allianz Arena.

Rohl revealed he took his first Rangers training session this morning and was delighted by the players' "intensity". However good that was, in his eyes, it's nothing compared to the intense scrutiny he, and his team, are about to come under.

Win, and he'll be fine. It would be hard to make a worst start than his predecessor. Lose a few games, however, and it will be interesting to see how long that beaming smile lasts.

He told us he loves a challenge. Just as well. He's just taken on the biggest one of his young life so far.

For day one, though, he can relax. First test passed. He met the Scottish media head-on and left with a handshake for every last one of us. A touch of class on what must have been a nervous first day in the job for Rangers' new standard bearer.

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Danny Rohl has been speaking to the media for the first time since being appointed Rangers head coach.

Here are the key points from his Ibrox unveiling:

• Rohl is relishing being part of "this amazing football club" and knows "we need wins" amid a dreadful start to the season, adding: "We are not happy – and this is the reason I am here."

• The German says joining Rangers is a good fit: "I am looking for an ambitious club, a club that is looking for more. I'm looking for a club to win titles. This club has everything for all these goals."

• On whether he is the right man for the job: "It's very important that my focus is on my person, what I can bring to this football club. What I want to see on the pitch is intensity, togetherness, and playing forward because we want to create chances, we want to create goals. We have to a defend as a unit much, much better with a lot of aggression."

• Rohl insists the top priority is "we have to win games" and then "we can speak about playing attractive football".

• On withdrawing from the running last week, Rohl says: "We never stopped the communication. Over a couple of days we had outstanding meetings together. There was still a great relationship between all of us in the meetings. I felt the trust. And football sometimes is about timing. This is a big, big pleasure for me. The club was fighting and looking for me and we were still talking, so I think this is very important. This is the reason why I am here now and it's the reason I am really looking forward to being part of this club."

• The 36-year-old says he is not concerned about not being the club's first choice for the role: "I think the outcome that I am here is very important. You can be the first, the second or the third choice. The important thing is to win games. That is the reason I am here. I cannot tell you which choice I am. I can just tell you that I am here. And it gives me the belief that I was the first choice and in this direction I want to go forward."

• On recruitment, Rohl says it is crucial that he and sporting director Kevin Thelwell "work closely together". He adds: "It makes no sense if one part goes in this direction and other part goes in another direction. When you are very clear on which way you want to go it is much easier to find the right players for the club and the style we want to play. I've learned a lot in the last 16 years about recruitment and if you can bring all the power in one direction you can convince really good players to come here."

• On what is salvageable this season: "We need wins in a row. With this you can build self-confidence. This morning we trained with great intensity and were were lively on the pitch - I see so much potential. We are in four competitions still. We can attack those competitions but it's not just a wish. We have to work very hard."

• On his style, Rohl says "the first thing is we have to speed up our game" and adds: "I've said to the players as well we are a massive club with big demands but we cannot just think we can win games with nice football. We have to press well, we have to hunt, we have to go on the counter-pressing and play with intensity. It starts with the striker and [goes through] to the defender. If we do it as a unit again and again it is very hard to beat us break us down. This is the mindset I want to change very quickly."

• Asked if Rangers can still win the league, Rohl says: "I believe we can win the next game. This is the crucial part. In football looking too far away doesn't make much sense. I will put all my energy into winning the next game. I believe in this group and if we get them running and the confidence back they can win game by game by game."

• On how long it will take to turn things around: "Hopefully as soon as possible. In this business we have not so much time. You can speak about a long-term vision but we know it's about short term and winning games. That is what I demand."

• On the scrutiny and expectation at Rangers: "Pressure in this business is usual. You have to learn this very soon. Some guys will maybe speak about my age but I am 16 years in different stages now [in my career]. I had the opportunity to work with Bayern Munich and be just assistant coach but I've felt what it means to be a head coach and the pressure of that. You start with winning games then people say you have to play nice football. That is exactly what I want to have."

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We asked whether you think Danny Rohl is the right man to revive Rangers after the German was confirmed as the successor to sacked head coach Russell Martin.

Here's what some of you said:

Jim: It appears that those responsible have gone from the sublime to the ridiculous with this appointment. It doesn't thrill me at all.

Neil: As a Sheffield Wednesday fan, Rangers have got themselves a gem with Danny Rohl. He transformed fitness levels, improved players individually and tried to implement an attractive style of football. He brought unity to the club, the fans loved him and so did the players. He will make Rangers a force again. Trust in him.

Pete: He is the third choice and a rushed appointment because Steven Gerrard and Kevin Muscat both saw issues with the board and walked away. Last man standing, let's see how long he lasts.

CD: I can't deny that I wanted Muscat but Rohl will get my full support. It'll be interesting to see his set up and style. He has a chance to change our season by winning the next few games.

Gavin: Sorry but what an underwhelming appointment. We are supposed to be grateful for a guy who achieved 12th place in the Championship. We should have asked Giovanni van Bronckhorst or Philippe Clement to come back. Fingers crossed I'm wrong regarding Rohl. Best of luck... he will need it!

Jack: Probably not the best choice but thanks to the sporting director, he's the best we could get. We've got to get behind him. He did wonders at Sheffield Wednesday and probably should have gone to another English Championship club but let's give him a chance. Rangers is a big job, let's hope he can thrive.

Colin: It's a gamble but I'm excited with all the great things other football professionals are saying about him. Hopefully he fits in quickly and gets the best out of what he's got and then get his own players in.

Iain: Rangers can't attract the big-name managers at this time due to the failings of the previous boards. Russell Martin could have been good given time but the fans don't want to give anyone time. I hope Rohl can turn things around and get Rangers back to where we want them.

Peter: Another disaster after another. This seems rushed, and smacks of desperation to get someone appointed. Rangers need a Scottish manager, someone who understands the club properly.

Brian: While he has limited experience as a manager in his own right, he has been learning his trade as an assistant at some major clubs. He did a great job in Sheffield and I believe with the right backing he can become one of Rangers' better managers. Let's give him some backing and see what transpires.

Russel: I believe Rangers should have appointed Rohl instead of Martin in the first place. Danny certainly speaks very well and appears to have decent experience behind him, especially under difficult circumstances at Sheffield Wednesday. Let's all get united behind the new head coach and his backroom staff, especially at Ibrox.

Chris McLaughlin
Scotland sports news correspondent

Today will be the 13th new Rangers manager's unveiling I've covered. It has changed over the years, there's no doubt about that, but it's always a big deal when a Celtic or a Rangers manager is unveiled, despite the fact they come along a lot more frequently these days.

For Rangers it would be traditionally in the historic blue room with the new manager and the chairman. It's changed now, there's the chief executive, the chairman and the sporting director.

What hasn't changed however is how the spectacle is viewed and handled by the media and the fans.

For the unveiling of an Old Firm manager, it's like political theatre. The media poring over, analysing every word from the new man, his body language, his mood, and it's seen by many as the start of a new era.

I spoke to a Rangers fan yesterday and asked what was the feeling among the support. He said "I'm not sure whether to be excited or scared" and I think that's the overwhelming sense from the fans.

You could almost feel sorry for Danny Rohl, who at best was third choice for this position, but I've heard suggestions he may have been the fourth.

Rangers fans would say that the board has completely bungled this process.

Steven Gerrard said no, Rohl himself said no, Kevin Muscat said no, then they went back to the German, who eventually said yes.

I think Rohl ruled himself out initially because he thought Muscat was getting the job - that's my understanding. Everyone thought it was going to be Muscat.

Whatever they have said and whatever Muscat has looked at has clearly been enough to put him off because by all accounts he was desperate to take this job.

But with the unveiling of Rohl - like with any Old Firm manager - there's been a sense of theatre and occasion about it - now it's up to him to live up to all of that.

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Should sorting out the defence be new head coach Danny Rohl's top priority at Rangers?

The Ibrox club have just one clean sheet - and one win - in their opening eight Premiership fixtures.

Rohl clearly has plenty of issues to attend to as he takes the reins on a two-and-a-half-year deal following the ill-fated Russell Martin tenure.

"I think there's plenty of good players in the frontline that can get Rangers goals," said Scottish coach and analyst John Walker.

"What you need to stop doing is giving an uphill task where you need two to win games. You need to be able to win games scrappy 1-0.

"I think there's a lot of uncertainty over whether defenders are meant to be stepping, whether they're to be dropping, where they're meant to be, what the positional space is meant to be.

"You've got very experienced players there. You've got a good midfield to choose from, with Joe Rothwell, Mohamed Diomande, Connor Barron, Nicolas Raskin, Thelo Aasgaard. It's good enough to be good in Scottish football.

"Rangers need to start shutting games out and it's working for you back to front. It's coach your backline, sort your backline, get everyone fighting for everything. And even if it's not pretty, the top end of the football is not right, it buys you time."

Despite Rangers' wretched start to the season and questionable recruitment, former striker Rory Loy believes the squad does not require major surgery.

"They need a centre-back to join in with Derek Cornelius and John Souttar because Nasser Djiga's not good enough in my opinion," said Loy.

"I think Jayden Meghoma's got potential. He's shown in fits and starts, but he needs a spell in the team.

"I don't think it should be a case of looking towards January. Rothwell has shown signs in the last few weeks, same with Aasgaard. Bojan Miovski is a good signing, and you've got Raskin in there. Oliver Antman has shown in glimpses, Djeidi Gassama does look very good.

"I don't think there's this need to panic and go, we need a full new squad. There's potential there. They just need somebody to get the potential out of them."

Listen to more reaction to Rohl's appointment on the BBC's Scottish football podcast