Last updated on .From the section Football

Injuries restricted Nerlinger's Rangers appearances

Rangers chief executive Graham Wallace has held discussions with Christian Nerlinger about returning to Ibrox.

Wallace wants to appoint a chief football operations officer and is due to meet the German, who played for the club between 2001 and 2004, for further talks about a role at the club.

Nerlinger is believed to be the frontrunner, but Rangers are talking to other experienced candidates.

The German was sporting director at Bayern Munich until 2012.

quote We need help with scouting, with the medical department and with everything

Wallace outlined the new role in his business review and intends for it to address developing player talent identification, scouting and recruitment strategy.

If Nerlinger takes on the position, he would essentially be assuming some of responsibilities that manager Ally McCoist currently holds.

Following publication of the review in April, McCoist said: "We need help with scouting, with the medical department and with everything.

"I don't know what [a chief football operations officer] would cover. If the manager tells him which talent to identify then that's a good idea."

McCoist, though, would want the final say on signings.

Whilst at Bayern Munich, Nerlinger oversaw the arrivals of of Ivica Olic on a free transfer, Mario Gomez, Arjen Robben, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, Jerome Boateng and Manuel Neuer.

A German international, the former midfielder was appointed team manager at Bayern in 2008, before becoming sporting director the following year. During his time in that position, Bayern won one domestic double, and twice finished runners-up in the Champions League.

He spent three years at Ibrox after being signed by Dick Advocaat in 2001, but made only 25 appearances as injuries kept him on the sidelines.

It is believed that Nerlinger is aware of the financial and political issues around the club.