The topic of Danny Rohl as Rangers manager has certainly become a bit of a hot subject. It is a hot topic regarding the position of the manager. The current situation is three wins in the last nine. It is among the worst ever runs by any Rangers manager. For the first time we are hearing some whispers about a possible change. However, that comes with a problem. Ibrox Noise has run several polls. While Rohl’s popularity is not quite as high as it was a couple of weeks ago, nevertheless an 86% approval rating suggests that any sacking or removal of Rohl would not be popular with supporters. Danny Rohl and pressure have become a topic.
Strong fan backing despite concerns
That is to say that Danny Rohl strongly has fans’ backing even if privately Ibrox Noise has learned of many fans and higher-placed personnel who have significant concerns about his leadership. Ibrox Noise was against Rohl from the start but every fan who has become in favour of Rohl has looked at where Rangers ‘were’ and focused on where Rangers are ‘now’.
The problem is there has been an exaggeration about the progress.
The reality of Rangers’ rise
Rangers at one point under Russell Martin were 11th. It was borderline relegation. However, Martin did get results after that. Draws and occasional wins took Rangers to more like 7th.
Steven Smith took over and got a draw. Then Rangers were 6th. The team had slightly reversed that absolutely chronic position under Martin. It was not exactly going forward. However, relegation was perhaps no longer the same threat as it once was.
Rohl came in after much ado about an awful lot. This happened among three or four managers rejecting the role including Muscat and Gerrard. He took Rangers at the time to 3rd and then 2nd. That was a rise of 4 places. It was not exactly bottom to top. It was mid table to slightly upper mid table.
Unfortunately for Rohl, Rangers have gone back down to 3rd. There is alas no potential improvement on the horizon.
The board’s dilemma
The dichotomy for the Rangers board amid Danny Rohl and pressure and commerce around the club is simple. Money speaks. It will cost a lot of money to fire Danny Rohl. At the same time the fans are heavily in favour of him.
That is for now at least.
If Rangers continue to lose and draw, as we have for the best part of over a month, then perhaps the fans may change their opinion. At the same time, however, we have rarely seen a Rangers manager in the modern era with this level of fan support.
Philippe Clement did have very strong backing. We have mentioned that on this site many times. The approval rating that he had peaked at 90%.
Rohl was the same prior to the cup exit. That dipped only to 86%. That is not exactly a huge drop. He is heavily favoured by the Ibrox faithful. It’s almost regardless of results.
Popular manager but poor results
For the rate of Rohl he is popular. However, Rangers results are not good enough. Rohl’s leadership has not been good enough. Even in that 90% backing that he generally has, there are some fans questioning some of the things he says.
It is maybe not as binary as black and white. It is not necessarily that everyone who is behind Rohl believes 100% that he is the long term answer.
Ibrox Noise has spoken to many Rangers fans of course. One of the big views seems to be that Rohl has done a good short term job. However, he cannot take the club any higher or forward. He may not be the long term answer.
Radio’s Ewan Cameron believes that Rohl will not be in charge next season. This is not necessarily something that Ibrox Noise disagrees with. However, we do not believe that with the popularity Rohl has at the moment he will necessarily be sacked any time soon.
The question of his position has come up. Unfortunately the very topic antagonises Rangers fans. The majority frequently get very aggressive when talking about his position. Danny Rohl and pressure is a subject that is very delicate.
Either way, Rangers are not in a good place right now. Recent results have been absolutely horrific. There is no sign of improvement. A tough run is coming up before the split. It does not get any easier. That shows where Rangers are right now.
That the common all garden SPL fixtures and then the split fill us with genuine anxiety.
This is not the Rangers we should be.