“Rohl’s Rangers Exit Statement Just Leaked – ‘Brave’ Decision Shocks Everyone”
The tenure was short and more sour than sweet for Danny Rohl. On the day that he embarked on his next challenge as a coach, he had to briefly reflect on the last one.
It could all have ended so differently for Rohl at Rangers. With five matches to go, the German had his sights set on the Premiership title. Rather than returning for pre-season in Glasgow with a renewed vigour for another shot at glory, he is starting again in Salzburg after assuming control of the side that finished third in the Austrian Bundesliga.
In the days after Rangers were condemned to languish behind Celtic and Hearts, Rohl received the support – both in private and in public – from chairman Andrew Cavenagh that many fans felt he was lucky to get. A couple of weeks on, the parties have gone their separate ways. It feels like each have won out of the situation.
“Yes, I think the task in Glasgow was also difficult,” Rohl said as he spoke at his first press conference after signing a three-year deal as head coach. “I stand for brave decisions. I stand for brave football. That’s why Red Bull Salzburg is just the right fit for me, for us, for my team.
Markus [Mann] really convinced me of the idea how we want to perform, what we want to do. And I think that Markus was already quite active. We had a great exchange the last few days. And Markus was certainly also a decisive factor why it worked.
“I had a great time. My time in Glasgow was relatively short. And yet, just look forward. As I said, there is a connection when you have worked for Red Bull for nine years. And I was able to see some great Champions League games here in Salzburg.
“That was always a spectacle. A flagship not only in Austria, but also all over Europe. was a club that brought many young, highly talented players into the top leagues. And of course, also coaches. And I’m glad to be part of it now. For me, it’s just about bringing back a lot of success to the club.”
There were times last term when Rohl looked like he had been taken into the hearts of the Rangers support. Today, he is back within the Red Bull family that gave him his first start as a coach at RB Leipzig.
The chance to return closer to his family was clearly a motivating factor for the 37-year-old after his stints at Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Rangers. He has familiar ambitions in familiar surroundings after being recommended for the position by Jurgen Klopp.
“Yes, I am happy to be here,” Rohl said. “Of course, I have been here more often in the past. I always know Salzburg for offensive, brave football. That’s also why I’m really happy to be back. That’s exactly the way we want to take.
“And yes, also the intensity that the club has shown for many years, with many titles in a row, with high intensity, with highly talented players, to come back. Yes, I’m happy to be here. I also have to say thank you very much, Markus.
“I think the last few days were excellent. Many thanks to you. And of course, at this moment, thank you again to the Rangers, who agreed to it in the end.
“And now I’m really looking forward to the task. I already got to know the team this morning. Many young faces. We have already mentioned a few things.
“And now it’s about getting there in the next two or three days, getting to know everyone, giving an impression. And then we look forward to a good preparation with a great squad. And for that we will do everything so that we can start the new season successfully.”
The time spent at Bayern Munich and with the German national team helped shape Rohl as a coach and a man-manager. He was able to put some of that experience to use at Ibrox but couldn’t deliver the kind of success he savoured in the Bundesliga.
He spoke about trying to impart those standards and behaviours into the squad that he inherited from Russell Martin in October. Ultimately, that challenge was just too great as Rangers collapsed in the closing stages of the season. He is now looking onwards and upwards.
“We always have to play for first place,” Rohl said of his ambitions as he seeks to overhaul LASK and Sturm Graz next term. “I think there is no secret. That is our claim. And this hunger for titles, I was allowed to learn there what it means to be a favourite, to always have to win every game.
“Those were certainly components. Especially with Hansi Flick, where we perfected it to win all the titles in one-and-a-half years. That was outstanding.
“Also there, no secret, Hansi is still a close confidant. He also had a short time in Salzburg. And finally, of course, with Robert and Nico in Munich.
“Don’t forget Ralf Rangnick. I think he also influenced me a lot in my career. He does a fantastic job in the Austrian national team. And I think today, after 36 years, he won the first game again. A good day for us. And therefore we are happy to be part of the business.”
Rohl has been joined in Salzburg by Sascha Lense, the first team performance manager, and analyst Tristan Steiner. The statement from Rangers that confirmed his departure did not mention assistant Mathias Kaltenbach or Sal Bibbo, the goalkeeping coach.
Rangers will move into a new era under the guidance of Derek McInnes. There will be new faces at Ibrox and more alterations to come at the Red Bull Arena.
“So we had the changes with Markus Böker, then the athletic coach with Sascha Lense, Tristan Steiner as an analyst from Glasgow,” Rohl said. “And we are now a little smaller in the team than last year. The case was that one or the other position was still open.
“And we will sit together in the next few days and look at that. Where do we have to strengthen again? So that there can be another change or that someone else joins in is not ruled out. But that won’t be tomorrow. Nevertheless, we are prepared for which people can come into question for which positions.”