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Graham Potter emerges as a serious contender for Rangers’ managerial role, says Alex Rae

In the wake of Russell Martin’s departure from Ibrox, former Rangers assistant coach Alex Rae has cast his vote for Graham Potter to take the hot seat, suggesting the ex‑Chelsea boss could revitalise his career north of the border.

Rae, who formed part of Philippe Clement’s backroom team before leaving earlier this season, spoke of Potter’s potential during a conversation with PLZ Soccer. He emphasised that while the former Brighton and Chelsea manager has endured rocky spells, the foundations of his earlier success remain compelling:

“Potter, potentially if he could reignite his early managerial form when he was in Sweden and Brighton. He was on the upward trajectory there, then he’s obviously had his tougher ones at Chelsea and West Ham.”

On whether Potter would take up the challenge at Rangers, Rae remained cautiously optimistic:

“He potentially could be. I’m not overly enthused, but we don’t know the names that are putting themselves in the hat. You talk about success. If you look at a manager over four or six posts, there’s going to be a couple where it goes a bit ropey. So if he can re‑enact what he did in the early part of his tenure in Sweden and in Brighton, then out of that group, he would be the one.”

He added a note of reservation—acknowledging that managerial careers rarely feature unbroken rises:

“I’m saying this loosely, because I’m not sure any of these guys would even entertain Rangers because of the levels they’ve been managing at.”

The managerial landscape at Ibrox

With Steven Gerrard confirmed to have withdrawn from contention for the role, the Rangers board is believed to be casting a wide net. Among the names in the frame are Danny Rohl, long mooted as the frontrunner, and Gary O’Neil, whose credentials have drawn interest. Potter now features among that shortlist, though sources suggest he is not leading the pack.

Nonetheless, the fact that Potter has been “sounded out” by Ibrox chiefs speaks to the ambition and urgency behind Rangers’ recruitment drive.

Rae’s endorsement arrives at a time when the club hierarchy must weigh up proven experience against potential upside. While Potter’s more recent track record may be patchy, his early achievements in Sweden and at Brighton continue to command respect in coaching circles.

Strengths and risks in appointing Potter

Potter’s claim to high regard is built upon his work abroad and at Brighton, where he gained a reputation for progressive tactics and a capacity for long‑term culture change. Rae’s emphasis on a return to that core identity underlines a belief that the fundamentals of Potter’s method still hold value.

However, the caveat is clear: the challenges in Glasgow would differ greatly from those in Sweden or the south of England. The pressures, expectations and media scrutiny at Rangers run deep. Rae himself hints that any appointment would require Potter to reforge past successes while navigating new constraints.

Some will point to Potter’s less successful spells at Chelsea and West Ham as red flags. Others will argue those fits were mismatched from the outset, and that a reset in a fresh environment could suit him. The gamble for Rangers would be whether Potter can reassemble the momentum that once marked his rise.

From a strategic viewpoint, the club needs to decide whether to back a name with elite pedigree but recent struggle, or to lean toward a candidate whose résumé is less dazzling but more consistent.

What’s next at Ibrox?

With the managerial search intensifying, the window for interim stability narrows. The board must act swiftly to appoint a figure capable of restoring coherence and direction.

Potter remains a divisive but intriguing option—one whose appeal lies not in recent glory, but in the possibility of reinvention. As Rae suggests, the question is not whether Potter has the credentials, but whether he can rekindle them.

If that spark is reignited, Potter could present Rangers with a viewport into a modern, progressive style of play. But if not, the move might compound the instability that has haunted the club this season. Either way, the decision at Ibrox will be one of the most consequential made by Rangers’ hierarchy in recent years.