STEVEN GERRARD dramatically withdrew from contention to be the new Rangers manager last night.
But as the former Ibrox boss exits the race, a new name has entered the conversation late doors.
Gerrard, 45, had been locked in talks with Rangers chiefs over the past couple of days.
The Liverpool legend, who won the Scottish Premiership title as Gers manager in 2021, emerged as the front-runner and looked likely to make a remarkable return to the dugout in Glasgow.
However, last night, the move dramatically collapsed when Gerrard pulled out of the process.
SunSport understands Gerrard felt the timing wasn’t right to make his stunning return to the Gers.
READ MORE RANGERS STORIES
‘RAGING’
Rangers fans left stunned by Gerrard snub as they demand ‘never ask him again’
FIRM DEALS
Free bets and new customer offers for upcoming Rangers and Celtic fixtures
It means the search for a replacement for Russell Martin – being led by chairman Andrew Cavenagh and vice-chairman Paraag Marathe – continues.
Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl has emerged as the front-runner in the wake of Gerrard’s exit from consideration.
Rohl, 36, is now the odds-on favourite with the bookies to take over at Ibrox.
But as we told you last night, he is NOT the only candidate in the running.
With Rangers hoping to make an appointment before next Saturday’s clash with Dundee United, time is of the essence.
But despite the late stage of proceedings, there’s another new name entered the conversation.
The Rangers Review report that Swiss boss Raphael Wicky is a ‘potential option’ for the Light Blues should they decide to go down the overseas route.
Wicky, 48, enjoyed a successful playing career for the likes of Sion, Werder Bremen, Atletico Madrid and Hamburg.
He also won 75 Switzerland caps between 1996 and 2008 and featured at Euro 96, Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup for his country.
After a brief spell in the United States with Chivas USA in 2008, Wicky retired and quickly moved into coaching.
He was a youth coach at Thun, Servette and Basel before being elevated to manager of the latter’s first team in 2017.
Wicky won the Swiss Cup with Basel in May that year, just a month after his appointment.
He was sacked in July 2018 after just over a year in charge amid a poor start to the season in Europe.
Wicky took charge of the USA under-17 national team before joining MLS outfit Chicago Fire in December 2019.
He spent just under two years in the role before being dismissed.
Wicky returned to Switzerland in June 2022 as Young Boys boss.
He led the club to a league and cup double in his first season in charge.
But he was axed in March 2024 even though he had Young Boys at the top of the league table.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
TWISTER SHOCK
Moment TORNADO strikes Spain holiday coast as storm brings horror evacuations
HOME WIN
Ryder Cup hero Bob MacIntyre splashes out £2m on property empire
Wicky has been out of football since although was close to being appointed West Brom boss earlier this year.
An issue with his backroom staff reportedly caused the deal to fall through.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
