Danny Rohl is edging closer to quitting Rangers as talks continue with RB Salzburg over a multi-million-pound compensation package.
And the Rangers Review understands Ibrox chiefs have compiled a four-man shortlist of candidates to replace the German in the dugout this summer.
Hearts boss Derek McInnes is one of the names in the frame to succeed Rohl ahead of the new campaign. Other candidates - including one former Premier League boss - are on the list after Rangers were inundated by calls for the position.
The Rangers Review reported on Thursday evening that Rohl had emerged as a target for the Austrian outfit and initial conversations had taken place between the clubs.
Those discussions have continued over the last 24 hours and it is understood that Rangers expect the situation to become clearer through the weekend. It is understood that Rohl is not pushing to leave the club, but the chance to replace Daniel Beichler and move closer to his family would naturally hold some appeal at this stage of his career.
Rangers are keen to move quickly and professionally in their dealings with potential candidates and their chosen man as they pinpoint experience and leadership as key qualities and look to move away from more recent profiles. The Ibrox hierarchy are aware of the timescales in play ahead of the new campaign and wants to install their new boss as soon as possible. Succession planning is already well underway while Rohl waits for the green light to deal with Salzburg.
Rohl was appointed as head coach last October, replacing Russell Martin in the dugout. The German lost to Celtic in both cup competitions and saw his side collapse in the final weeks of the Premiership title race as Rangers finished third in the standings.
Rohl still has admirers within the Red Bull organisation, however, and he is in the running to take over the side that were behind champions LASK and Sturm Graz last term. Rohl has also worked with Bayern Munich and the German national side and moved to Glasgow months after leaving Sheffield Wednesday.
Rangers are believed to be seeking a quickfire resolution to avoid a repeat of the long, drawn-out situations that saw Martin and Rohl appointed last summer. Steven Gerrard was spoken to on both occasions before opting against an emotional return to Ibrox.
The credentials of McInnes will also be considered, the Rangers Review can confirm. The nine-in-a-row hero turned down the position whilst in charge of Aberdeen but his stock has never been higher after leading Hearts to within minutes of the Premiership title last term.
Rangers are due to report for pre-season training at Auchenhowie next week and time is of the essence at Ibrox, given the turnaround period and the work that must be undertaken in the transfer market this summer. The development in Rohl's situation comes just a couple of weeks after chairman Andrew Cavenagh gave his public support to the head coach despite criticism from sections of the support.
“Danny is our coach, we think that Danny gives us the best opportunity to win the league next year,” Cavenagh said.
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“We think there are two really important things that he needs, one is a pre-season and the most important one is a revamped squad.
“I don't love the word backed, I would say that we recognise that the squad needs significant change, so we intend to do that.
“Where it needs changed it is less around the talent, we have good talented players, what we need to do is look at chemistry, mentality and leadership.
“It is more those nuanced and intangible things that we really are focusing on this summer with the squad.”
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