Rangers chief executive says club decided to move Danny Rohl on
Rangers chief executive Jim Gillespie revealed the club jumped on an approach for Danny Rohl as an opportunity to recruit Derek McInnes.
Gillespie and chairman Andrew Cavenagh gave their public backing to Rohl after four consecutive post-split defeats saw Rangers blow the opportunity to battle for the William Hill Premiership title.
But when RB Salzburg showed interest in the German, Rangers immediately set the wheels in motion to head-hunt McInnes, who came within minutes of leading Hearts to the title and finished above Rangers in the table.
Gillespie said: “We gave Danny our backing in May but things evolve over time. The decision for Danny to move on was our decision, Rangers Football Club’s decision. Danny was contracted to Rangers and had no buy-out so ultimately we could have told Salzburg he wasn’t for sale.
“But we decided that we wanted to bring Derek in and that was a motivation to let Danny go and bring Derek in because he was a man that we had already highlighted as a man to bring success to Rangers.”
The former St Mirren vice-chairman added: “Derek was the only candidate for the role and we’re delighted to have secured him.
“He is highly regarded within the club and exactly what we need at this moment. Derek brings with him a wealth of experience in both Scottish football and Rangers. He understands what it takes to succeed at Rangers, having been a player here, and he’s built up as a successful manager over many years.”
Rohl and predecessor Russell Martin’s official title was head coach but McInnes was announced as Rangers manager.
He will still work in the same football structure, which is overseen by technical director Dan Purdy, and be involved in a collaborative approach in recruiting players.
But McInnes will highlight the priority positions and get the final say on any new signings.
Gillespie said: “Derek understands the model. Derek will work within that model and there’s no real difference between what Derek and Danny’s role was.
“Ultimately we gave a nod to the history of this football club and it was important to Derek and important to us that we’d done that, and that’s why he’s the Rangers manager.”