The fresh perspective surrounding Danny Rohl's first month at Rangers appears to stem less from his own qualities in the eyes of supporters, and more from what he represents: a decisive break from the club's recent failed regime.
A Brutal End to a Failed Era
When the brief and unsuccessful tenure of Russell Martin concluded after just 17 games, the club's American owners, chairman Andrew Cavenagh and vice-chair Paraag Marathe, took direct control of appointing his successor. While sporting director Kevin Thelwell—who had strongly backed Martin—and chief executive Patrick Stewart were mentioned in an open letter, it was clear the ultimate decision rested with the owners.
Following an extensive search, Rohl emerged as their chosen candidate. Thelwell's influence, once powerful, had significantly diminished. Within a month, his fate, along with that of Stewart, was sealed. Their dismissal by Cavenagh on Monday was described as brutal and sudden, yet far from undeserved.
The responsibility for a summer recruitment drive, which Rangers legend Ally McCoist this week labelled as 'appalling', fell squarely on Thelwell. While Rohl would never reveal the specifics of the report he submitted to the board during the international break, it would have been negligent to ignore the standard of player he inherited.
Rohl's Blueprint for a Rangers Revival
This assessment likely served as the final catalyst for Cavenagh's decisive action. "I think it's my job to look over," the head coach stated. "I give my information to the board, to the club, what I think, how I see the situation, how I see the squad at the minute, which parts we have to improve."
Rohl was emphatic about the scale of the task, noting, "There's no secret we know that we have to improve all of our players here." He acknowledged having "some very exciting players" but stressed the mission is to "bring them back to the highest level," a job he insists he will tackle with his coaching team while also looking ahead to the next transfer window.
Cavenagh justified the sackings by stating Thelwell and Stewart didn't 'align with their vision for the next chapter'. A more pragmatic interpretation is that after overseeing one disastrous transfer window, they would not be trusted with another. Rohl is now tasked with cleaning up a mess largely created by the departed duo.
Navigating the Immediate Challenges
With the search for replacements underway, the immediate burden for the January transfer window will fall on existing staff, including interim CEO Fraser Thornton. Rohl confirmed his close working relationship with the chairman, saying, "I'm close to Andrew, we are in contact every day." He emphasised the importance of a collective effort, involving the board, the recruitment department, and his coaching staff.
The immediate fixture list is relentless, starting with a crucial Europa League match against Braga. Rohl will oversee nine matches before the new year, which he sees as an opportunity for underperforming summer signings to change perceptions. "Every game is an opportunity for players," he remarked, specifically mentioning forward Youssef Chermiti, a £8m signing from Everton with just one goal in 13 appearances.
Despite noting Chermiti's "really lively" recent training session, Rohl cautioned that "football is about consistency and not about just one training session." The European campaign is on a knife-edge, with Rangers bottom of their Europa League group without a point from four games. A win against Braga is essential to keep any hope of progression alive.
Injuries compound the challenge, with defender Derek Cornelius likely out until the end of January after surgery. John Souttar and Mikey Moore remain sidelined, though Dujon Sterling has been added to the European squad. Rohl's message for the Braga clash was clear: "We know we need points... It's important to play without mistakes, to play on the front foot, to bring the crowd behind you." The new era at Ibrox is underway, but the reconstruction job is vast.
