STEVEN GERRARD has withdrawn from the running to be the next Rangers manager.
And it means with five days to go until the Light Blues return to action, Ibrox chiefs are still hunting for a new manager.
It’s now been eight days since Russell Martin was sacked after just four months in charge.
The axe fell on Martin hours after a 1-1 draw at Falkirk, a result that left the Gers sitting eighth.
Former Rangers boss Gerrard, 45, was quickly installed as the favourite.
The majority of Gers fans were very much on board with the title-winning manager’s return and excitement reached fever-pitch when he jetted in to London for talks with Ibrox supremos late last week.
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But after a couple of days of talks, the bombshell news arrived on Saturday night that Gerrard had dramatically pulled out of the running to take over.
SunSport understands the Liverpool legend doesn’t feel the timing is right to make what would be a sensational return to Rangers.
It means the search for a new boss – being led by American chiefs Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe – goes on.
Former Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl is the current bookies’ favourite.
The 36-year old is out of work after leaving the crisis-hit Championship club in July just two weeks before the new season.
Rohl, a former assistant with RB Leipzig and the Germany national team, was in the running for the job before Martin was appointed at the beginning of June.
SunSport understands Rohl has impressed Rangers chiefs with his presentation last week.
Billy Dodds was part of the interim Rangers team when Barry Ferguson was in charge for the final few months of last month.
Ferguson, of course, unsuccessfully threw his hat into the ring to be the permanent boss in the race ultimately won by Martin.
Dodds, who also spent more than three years as a Rangers player, has sounded a warning to Ibrox bosses over the potential appointment of Rohl.
While the former striker doesn’t doubt the German is a good manager – he isn’t sure the Rangers fan base will accept another appointment from an English Championship background.
Dodds told BBC Sportsound: “Most wanted Steven Gerrard, but that’s gone now.
“I just think if you go down that Championship route again – I am not saying Danny Rohl is not a good manager. I’ve heard he is.
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“But it is kind of rinse and repeat and I don’t think the Rangers fans want that.
“It’s huge that the hierarchy at Rangers take the fans into account on this.”
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