‘Real honour’ as McInnes succeeds Rohl at Rangers
McInnes Takes Charge at Rangers After Compensation Deal with Hearts
Real honour as McInnes succeeds Rohl - Danny Rohl’s tenure as manager of Rangers came to an end after the club failed to secure silverware in the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership. His departure opened the door for Derek McInnes, who has been appointed as the new head coach on a three-year contract. The decision follows a compensation agreement with Hearts, his former team, marking his return to Ibrox. McInnes replaces Rohl, who joined RB Salzburg in Austria earlier this week.
McInnes’ Background and Heart of the Matter
The 54-year-old McInnes, a former Rangers midfielder, had previously declined a managerial offer from Ibrox in 2017 to stay at Aberdeen. However, he has now followed Tynecastle captain Lawrence Shankland in making the move back to Glasgow. McInnes led Hearts to a second-place finish in the league last season, falling just short of the title to Celtic. His efforts also secured a spot in the Champions League qualifiers, eliminating Rangers in the process.
"It is a real honour. The demands here are clear, and our supporters rightfully have high expectations. It is up to me, my staff, and my players to meet those expectations and have this club performing as it should," McInnes said.
McInnes will be supported by Alan Archibald, Paul Sheerin, and Craig Clark. The new manager’s experience is extensive, with over 800 career games under his belt. He began his coaching journey at St Johnstone in 2007 before stints at Bristol City and Aberdeen, where he won the League Cup in his debut season. After leaving Pittodrie in 2021, he returned to Kilmarnock in 2022, guiding them to a top-flight finish.
Rohl’s Impact and Departure
Rohl, 37, took over as head coach in October 2025, steering Rangers into a fierce title race. Yet, a slump after the split left them third, behind Celtic and Hearts. Despite this, he maintained a strong record across all competitions, with 22 wins, 11 losses, and seven draws in 40 fixtures. His departure was confirmed after the club could not land Steven Gerrard or Kevin Muscat.
"He and his staff put in a significant amount of hard work during his time in charge, which we are greatly appreciative of," said chairman Andrew Cavenagh. "His deep Scottish and Rangers experience are important for us. He knows how to win in this league and is coming off an extremely strong season with Hearts."
Cavenagh praised McInnes as “someone we have always rated highly” and described him as “exactly what this club needs at this moment in time.” McInnes’ reappointment aligns with expectations of stability, as Hearts are already scouting his replacement. His return to Rangers reunites him with Shankland, who joined the Ibrox side three weeks ago after a prolific season with Hearts, scoring 20 goals.
McInnes’ Track Record
McInnes’ managerial career includes a string of successes. At Hearts, he compiled a 28-win record in 44 matches across all competitions, including victories over Rangers and Celtic. His ability to maintain unity at Tynecastle was highlighted by Craig Levein, a former Hearts and Scotland manager, who noted his skill in keeping players content. “He managed to keep the players together at Hearts. That’s one of the most difficult things to do—keep everyone happy—and he did it,” Levein remarked.
With his appointment, Rangers aim to leverage McInnes’ deep knowledge of the league and his proven track record. The club is expected to invest in new talent this summer, a move many believe will complement his leadership and help address their challenges moving forward.