Danny Rohl is confident he can quickly convince Rangers fans he is no coaching clone of his failed predecessor Russell Martin.
A section of the Ibrox club’s support raised concerns over Rohl’s credentials before his appointment as their 21st permanent manager at the start of this week.
Thursday night’s 3-0 defeat away to Norwegian side Brann in his first game in charge exposed the scale of the challenge he faces.
But the 36-year-old German, who only moved into frontline management for the first time at Sheffield Wednesday two years ago, has challenged the perception he has a similar tactical approach to Martin, who was sacked after just 123 days in charge.
Rohl, a former assistant manager at RB Leipzig, Southampton, Bayern Munich and the German national team, believes his stint in the south coast of England is influencing him being likened to ex-Saints boss Martin.
‘We both have a background at Southampton and maybe also in the English Championship, so maybe this is the reason people see this,’ said Rohl.
Danny Rohl has hit back at suggestion he is nothing more than Russell Martin 2.0
Rohl and Martin faced each other in the Championship and both have worked at Southampton
Rohl spoke directly to angry supporters after Rangers’ embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Brann
‘But if you compare our styles, you will see a lot of different things. I’m Danny Rohl, I’m not Russell Martin. I think comparing coaches is difficult. Hopefully, you will soon see which direction I want Rangers to play football.
‘For me, every coach has his own opinion. I have my clear identity about how I want to play. It’s very important for me to have not just one match plan A.
‘It’s always important to have plan B and C, because I know in modern football you cannot have just one way to play.
‘If you want to win games, especially when you are in four competitions as Rangers still are this season, I think this is very important.’
Martin’s departure from Rangers came against a backdrop of unprecedented levels of vitriol from some of the club’s fans.
The 39-year-old’s tenure ended amid ugly scenes at Falkirk three weeks ago when he had to leave the stadium by a side exit and with a police escort.
The 36-year-old German will hope to get Rangers’ league season back on track at Kilmarnock
Rohl, however, insists that did not negatively influence him when deciding to take the Rangers job.
‘For me, there was not one question mark to come here about those things,’ he said. ‘I’m a guy who always sees the opportunity and not the risk. I see this step as a big opportunity to be successful and win titles.’
Rohl had never previously visited Ibrox before he was officially unveiled as manager at the stadium on Tuesday.
He is eagerly anticipating his first home game in charge against Kilmarnock tomorrow as he bids to get the supporters onside.
‘When I was looking forward to coming to the club, I watched clips of some games and saw how much energy is in the stadium with the fans,’ added Rohl.
‘The good thing is we now have the opportunity to fill this stadium, and hopefully get the first home win. It’s just part of our job if we want to win games.
Connor Barron says Rangers owe their manager and fans a performance after Brann shocker
‘I think this is a crucial thing and if we turn around the atmosphere in the right direction, it will be amazing.’
Meanwhile, midfielder Connor Barron says the Rangers players are already in debt to Rohl after just one game in charge of the club — and insists the Ibrox supporters are owed a performance against Kilmarnock.
Barron, a second-half substitute in the embarrassing Europa League setback in Norway, said: ‘We owe everyone. The start to the season has not been good enough for this football club and we owe everyone, fans at the club, the manager and ourselves as well.
‘He (Rohl) said that it was not good enough (against Brann). First impressions are massive and you’ve got to do everything, in every training session, every game. The performances need to be better across the board.’
