Danny Rohl has left Rangers after just eight months to become head coach of Red Bull Salzburg, with the Scottish club announcing that news of his replacement will follow shortly. Hearts manager Derek McInnes is widely expected to take over at Ibrox.
Rohl, 37, replaced Russell Martin in October and guided Rangers into a three-way title race, but a post-split collapse saw them finish third behind Celtic and Hearts, ending the season without trophies. Despite public backing from chairman Andrew Cavenagh at the season's end, Rohl has returned to the Red Bull network, where he began his coaching career at 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, who had two years remaining on his contract, takes over a Salzburg side that finished third in Austria last season—their lowest placing in two decades—and will enter the Europa League at the third qualifying round, the same stage as Rangers. Daniel Beichler was sacked as Salzburg boss last month after just 14 games.
Rohl previously worked as an assistant at Southampton under Hasenhuttl, then at Bayern Munich under Hansi Flick, winning the Bundesliga. He later managed Sheffield Wednesday in 2023.
Analysis: Rohl never looked happy at Rangers
By Tom English, BBC Scotland's chief sports writer
Rohl's exit is slightly embarrassing for Cavenagh, who publicly defended the manager against fan criticism. I wonder if Rohl was ever truly happy at Rangers—he never seemed entirely at ease with the league. The club tried to accommodate him and provided funds, but he may never have been a natural fit for Scottish football.
For Rangers, McInnes is an obvious choice. He's highly experienced, a seasoned professional in Scotland, and knows the league inside out. His work ethic is exceptional. He would be a very good fit for Rangers.
Abrupt end to Rohl's rollercoaster tenure
Rohl's Rangers record across all competitions stands at 22 wins, 11 losses, and seven draws in 40 matches. Having initially withdrawn from the running to replace Russell Martin, he had a change of heart and accepted the job after the club failed to secure other targets.