Steven Gerrard has turned down the chance to return to Rangers for a second spell as manager, and the timing of the move is believed to be behind his shock decision.
The former Liverpool and England captain held talks with the Scottish Premiership club earlier this week following the sacking of Russell Martin as head coach on Sunday.
Those talks were thought to have gone well but, while the 45-year-old is believed to be open to returning to Ibrox at some point and the club are of a similar opinion, that will not be the case in the near future.
Gerrard was previously in charge at Ibrox between 2018 and 2021, winning the Scottish title in the 2020-21 season.
The 45-year-old recently expressed his desire to return to management after failed spells with Aston Villa and Saudi club Al-Ettifaq, but withdrew from the interview process on Saturday.
This leaves the fledgling Rangers hierarchy still searching for a head coach to succeed Martin, who lasted just 17 games after being appointed in June.
They sit eighth in the Scottish top flight, having won just once in their first seven league games, and their next match will be a visit to Dundee United next Saturday.