A former Manchester United midfielder has unexpectedly become a potential candidate to lead Rangers after Steven Gerrard declined a return to the club.

Gerrard, aged 45, previously won the Premiership title with Rangers in 2021 before moving on to Aston Villa. He engaged in discussions in London about succeeding Russell Martin on Thursday and Friday.

However, as reported by Daily Mail Sport, Gerrard’s interest in managing transfers at Rangers has led him to inform chairman Andrew Cavenagh and vice-chair Paraag Marathe that he is stepping away from consideration.

Despite this, Rangers are keen to appoint their new manager during the international break and before their home game against Dundee United next weekend.

And, according to Sky Sports, ex-United man Michael Carrick, who was most recently in charge of Middlesborough, could end up on the hosteat.

Carrick led Middlesborough in 2022, and led them to the Championship play-offs, where they lost against Coventry, in his first year in charge.

The following year, Boro finished eighth, and Carrick signed a new three-year deal. After taking them to 10th last season, however, he was sacked.

Michael Carrick, who also briefly managed United as a caretaker, is eager to advance his coaching career and could find an opportunity in Scotland with Rangers after Martin’s contentious exit.

Nevertheless, other candidates are reportedly in the mix. Sky reports that Rohl is the favorite, with Kieran McKenna and Ralph Hasenhuttl also under consideration.

But Gerrard was the club’s first choice, and former England captain Gerrard’s decision will come as a blow to many supporters keen to see him give it another whirl as boss after he admitted on a podcast hosted his former international team-mate Rio Ferdinand that he felt ready to take up another role in management.

‘There’s a part of me that still feels that there’s a bit of unfinished business in terms of wanting to go in and face another couple of exciting challenges, but I want a certain type of challenge,’ said Gerrard, who resigned as head coach of Al-Ettifaq in January after 18 months at the helm.

‘I want to be at a team that’s going to compete to win because I think that suits me better.

‘I’ve also got time now where I’m not in a rush, where I know the right people that are out there to make me a stronger and a better coach. They’re the people I need to find – because, if I get the right match with them people around me, I know and I’ve proved I can be successful as a manager.

‘I’ve had five or six really interesting phone calls since I stopped in Saudi and I haven’t been ready because I haven’t got that team set around me.

‘My daughter’s just had a baby. I’ve just become a granddad. I wasn’t ready. I haven’t got my staff ready, so, unfortunately, them opportunities or them phone calls have come at the wrong time, if you like.’

It is understood German coach Rohl was also sounded out by Rangers chiefs in the summer prior to the disastrous appointment of Martin. His only job as a club manager was at Wednesday, but he has held down coaching roles at the likes of Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig over the course of his career.

He joined The Owls in October 2023, but left Hillsborough during pre-season with the club suffering all kinds of financial issues. The 36-year-old took charge of 89 matches there, recording 34 wins, 21 draws and 34 losses.

They finished 20th in the Championship during his first season and climbed to 12th last term.