Rangers Seek New Manager After Russell Martin's Departure
The Rangers Football Club is in search of their seventh new team manager, and the fifth permanent one in just four years, following the dismissal of Russell Martin.
Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Falkirk marked the end of Martin's tenure, as he recorded a win rate of only 29.41%, the lowest of any Rangers manager who has held the position for more than a few weeks. The situation escalated as fan protests began to turn hostile.
The upcoming international break provides the club's new owners and board an opportunity to deliberate on their next steps. However, speculation regarding potential successors to the former Southampton manager was already rampant before his departure became official.
Bookmakers have listed several familiar names who were considered for the role prior to Martin's appointment in June.
Steven Gerrard remains a beloved figure among Rangers supporters for leading the club to a championship title in 2021, effectively denying Celtic a tenth consecutive win. Despite this, he opted to leave for less fruitful tenures at Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq.
Former Rangers midfielder Derek McInnes, who turned down the Ibrox job in 2017, has garnered admiration from fans for his current success with Heart of Midlothian, where he has led the team to the top of the table since moving from Kilmarnock.
Sean Dyche's name is likely to resurface for the vacancy, given his prior collaboration with Rangers’ head of recruitment, Kevin Thelwell, at Everton.
Additionally, former Rangers defender Kevin Muscat was reportedly a candidate during Philippe Clement's appointment in 2023, and he is currently leading Shanghai Port in the Chinese Super League as they pursue another title.
Meanwhile, Danny Rohl has recently departed financially troubled Sheffield Wednesday, and Barry Ferguson has returned to Rangers in an ambassadorial capacity after serving as caretaker manager at the end of last season. However, the pressing question remains: who do Rangers fans truly want as their next manager?
Gerrard: The Solution for Rangers?
Joshua Barrie, editor of Rangers Review, noted that Martin's exit was inevitable due to a "totally broken relationship" between the coach, the club, and its supporters, which had escalated to a point of "actual safety concern" amid fan protests.
"From a performance perspective, one league win in seven is a record that is only tolerated if you don’t deserve such a record," he stated on BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland. "Based on their performances over those seven games, neither Rangers nor Russell Martin could argue that they deserved more points."
Barrie highlighted that the club took considerable time and conducted numerous interviews before appointing Martin this summer. He expressed concern about whether they could revisit candidates who had previously been rejected.
"Can you go back to the number two? Is that appropriate? Is the job description the same? The squad has been built with a specific style in mind. Do you opt for a more unifying candidate?" he questioned. "Will the conversation about Steven Gerrard arise again? I believe it will."
Divided Opinions on Next Head Coach
While most Rangers fans welcomed Martin's departure, they also acknowledge that the club's new owners, CEO Patrick Stewart, and sporting director Kevin Thelwell share some responsibility for the situation.
John: "We need to reassess recruitment in key positions. I don’t understand why we are hiring from clubs that have been underperforming, like Manchester United and Everton. Please, do not bring back Steven Gerrard—he failed at Aston Villa and his Saudi club."
Michael: "Russell Martin was the wrong choice from the start. His previous record was questionable, but it’s clear that Thelwell and Stewart underestimated the kind of manager Rangers need. They should go as well. Stevie G or Kevin Muscat would be ideal."
Ian: "I’ve never been so pleased to see someone get sacked. We all hoped he would turn things around, but it never seemed likely. His demeanor in post-match interviews was concerning; he appeared indifferent. Bring back Barry and his team or Stevie G."
Jim: "Martin was too stubborn and tactically naive. We don’t want a young manager who talks about a ‘project.’ Dyche or Muscat would provide the no-nonsense leadership we desperately need."
David: "Sean Dyche isn’t the answer; he’s as problematic as Martin. We need someone who can adapt tactics and play in various styles. Gerrard is a possibility, but there are other capable candidates mentioned recently."
Stephan: "He should never have been appointed. He wasted a lot of money on players who likely won’t fit the next manager’s vision. Whoever hired him shouldn’t be responsible for the next appointment. Muscat or Gerrard should be next."
Willie: "The club lost its way years ago by hiring foreign managers and bringing in too many overseas players. We need to invest in the academy; that’s the way forward."
Marwan: "Russell Martin was never of Rangers caliber. I hope our next manager is Sean Dyche—a decent, Premier League-quality manager who took Burnley to seventh place on a small budget and has a style reminiscent of the great Walter Smith."
Louise: "Russell Martin seems like a decent person, but it was evident early on that he was out of his depth at Rangers, failing to deliver on any of his promises. We need a manager who understands the club and recognizes that every game is a must-win for Rangers."
James: "He was never the right man for the job. Only Barry Ferguson managed to get the best out of the players when he was in charge. The question is, who genuinely wants this position, as it feels like a poisoned chalice?"
Paul: "I believe we have a good squad, and a competent manager can get the team back on track. Derek McInnes is the right choice, but will he leave Hearts? We need a manager who utilizes the players’ strengths instead of forcing a singular style of play."
Alex: "He overstayed his welcome—123 days too long. Kevin Thelwell and Patrick Stewart should follow him out. They were part of the problem. I’d welcome Stevie G back in a heartbeat."
Michele: "This had to happen. They should have stuck with Barry."
Concerns Over Future Appointments
Some fans express sympathy for Martin, believing deeper issues persist at Ibrox.
Derek: "It’s premature to judge. No one within Rangers’ financial reach will make the immediate improvements some supporters expect. This situation, while undeniably poor, will continue until there’s recognition that over a decade of mismanagement cannot be resolved by a single appointment or transfer window."
White & Wooly: "It’s unfortunate he wasn’t given more time. Ian McCall has repeatedly stated that a manager should be evaluated after 50-plus games."
Kenneth: "Rangers have faced consistent failures, and the situation requires a more thorough understanding of the issues at hand rather than a quick fix."