The German is the frontrunner to land the job after Steven Gerrard dramatically withdrew his interest
12:54, 12 Oct 2025Updated 20:39, 12 Oct 2025
Danny Rohl(Image: Getty Images)
Barry Bannan regards him as the best manager he’s EVER worked with.
A German coach built for British football. And the ideal candidate to get Rangers challenging for titles again.
If the Ibrox punters have any doubts about Danny Rohl becoming their new gaffer – they might want to listen to the Sheffield Wednesday captain.
Gers fans were left disappointed on Saturday night when news emerged that Steven Gerrard had pulled himself out of the race to take over from Russell Martin.
Almost immediately, 36-year-old Rohl became the new bookies’ favourite. And after impressing during initial talks with the Rangers’ hierarchy, he’s now a leading candidate for the role.
A two-year stint at Hillsborough in the English Championship – his first gig as gaffer – isn’t usually the criteria which earns you a crack at the Rangers hot seat.
But Bannan, his Owls captain, believes he’s made for it. He’s convinced that if Rohl gets the backing of the Ibrox support, he can get them back on track and competing for honours again.
In an exclusive interview with Record Sport, Bannan hailed the former Bayern Munich assistant boss for his tactical nous, adaptability, passion and will to win.
And crucially for the Rangers support, he says he’s NOT a clone of sacked Martin. Bannan said: “Danny is the best manager I’ve worked with in my career.
“He’s so confident. When he came to Sheffield Wednesday, it was his first manager’s job. He’d been assistant to Hansi Flick at Bayern and Germany.
“When he arrived, I was thinking: ‘He’s the same age as me’. So I expected him to be quite shy.
“But in his first meeting, he was unbelievable. All the boys left the meeting saying he was unreal.
“He had so much belief in what he was going to do. He had a plan.
“At that time, we were bottom of the league, 12 points from safety. But we stayed up on the last day.
Sheffield Wednesday skipper Barry Bannan(Image: Getty Images)
“His confidence is through the roof. On that first day, boys could have easily left the meeting thinking: ‘Who is this guy’. But we all thought he was brilliant.
“He’s built for the British game. A few weeks ago, he was going around clubs in America seeing how they work.
“Thomas Muller took him to Vancouver Whitecaps. He told me it was a lovely set-up but at the game, there was no real passion.
“He felt they weren’t really invested in the game, they were all eating burgers and chips.
“Danny loves passionate fans. That’s why he took to English football – and it’s another level altogether at the Old Firm.”
Sceptical Rangers fans will fear the potential appointment of Rohl is just a repeat of their Martin pursuit.
He was fired after an abysmal start to an Ibrox reign, which has left them eighth in the Premiership table.
But Bannan says the German is a different animal altogether when it comes to playing style.
He said: “Tactically, he’s really good. He likes to play but not to the extent of Russell.
“Danny is more about doing what it takes to win. He likes getting the ball forward and pressing high. He’s not about 100 passes.
“Basically, he analyses every game and every opponent. He’ll see their weaknesses and that’s how you’ll play.
“If they don’t press, you’ll obviously play out from the back.
“If they do, he’ll have ways of beating it. It’s not a set in stone way of playing – he adapts to every situation.
“He’s got an old head on young shoulders. As a player, you never really see him change.
“So I don’t see the pressure in Glasgow getting to him.
“He’s already been at a massive club in Bayern Munich albeit as a number two.
“But Bayern is similar to Celtic and Rangers, where a draw isn’t good enough. So he gets that side of it.
“He’s been in that kind of environment, even though he wasn’t the main man. He’s felt it and I’ve spoken to him about that.
“He knows Munich is the exact same as Rangers and Celtic, you have to win every game no matter how well you play.”
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 28: Sheffield Wednesday Manager Danny Rohl applauds the home fans after during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United at Hillsborough on October 28, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
Despite all of that, Bannan knows Glasgow is a different ball game, which can swallow up managers.
He’s already spoken to his old gaffer about what he might be walking into.
But the former Scotland midfielder thinks Rohl will relish it.
So much so, if he gets the job, Bannan says he’ll immediately believe Rangers can be champions THIS term.
He said: “It’s hard for me, I’ve never felt that Old Firm pressure. Obviously I grew up with it and I follow it. But you need to actually be in it to really feel it.
“It’s OK me saying he’s an incredible manager who will go on to big things.
“But this would be a huge test for him because it’ll be the biggest club he’s managed up to this point.
“I think he could be a massive success at Rangers. He loves things like this. Rangers are right up his street because he loves a challenge.
“I’ve never seen a fanbase take to a manager as much as ours did with Danny. And that’s obviously what Rangers need. I think it’s a good match.
“He plays the game on the touchline and that’s what Rangers fans want to see. He’ll believe he can still get Rangers challenging for the league this season.
“Danny will target winning the title.
“Hearts have had a great start but he’d still look to catch them. While Celtic haven’t really hit the ground running.
“So I’d say it’s still open up there. If Danny comes in he’ll have the same thought process.
“He’ll think there’s loads of games to claw it back and he’ll love being in Europe as well.
“With his confidence he certainly won’t be writing anything off.”