Sunday’s 1-1 draw in Falkirk – leaving the former Southampton manager with only a 29.41% win rate, the worst of any Rangers boss in post for more than a couple of weeks – proved the final straw as fan protests started to turn ugly.
Before the axe finally fell, there was already rife about who might succeed the former Rangers and Scotland defender, but the international break gives the under-fire new owners and board time to consider their next move.
Steven Gerrard is still revered by many Rangers fans for leading the club to the title in 2021 that denied Celtic 10 in a row, but he chose to leave for less successful spells with Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq.
Derek McInnes, a former Rangers midfielder, turned down the Ibrox job in 2017, but his fans are now envious of what he has accomplished in bringing Heart of Midlothian to the top of the table right now following his summer switch from Kilmarnock.
The Englishman’s name will be linked to the vacancy again given that Sean Dyche worked with Rangers’ Kevin Thelwell and Kevin Thelwell at Everton.
Former Rangers defender Kevin Muscat was reportedly in contention when Philippe Clement got the job in 2023 and his Shanghai Port side are currently leading the Chinese Super League as they aim to retain the title.
The man who can guide Rangers on the water, Gerrard?
For Rangers Review editor Joshua Barrie, Martin’s exit was inevitable given the “totally broken relationship” between the head coach, the club and their supporters that had reached a point where there was “an actual safety concern” amid fan protests.
One [league] win in seven is the kind of record you can only get away with if you don’t deserve that kind of record, he said on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland.
Rangers couldn’t really argue, and Russell Martin couldn’t really argue, that they deserve many more points, based on their performances over those seven games.
Barrie pointed out that it took Rangers “a long time” and many interviews to make Martin’s appointment this summer, but although they must act quicker this time, he wondered if they can return to any of the previously beaten candidates.
“Can you reach the second-most”? That’s correct, right? Is the job description the same? The squad was created in a particular style and image. Do you favor a candidate for “united” more? he said.
No consensus over next head coach?
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Most Rangers fans had misgivings about Martin’s initial appointment, but while most are pleased he has gone, they point out that Rangers ‘ new owners, chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell must take some of the blame.
John, We need to consider key job recruitment. I find it difficult to recruit players from struggling clubs like Man Utd and Everton. Please don’t bring back Steven Gerrard – failed at Aston Villa and his Saudi club.
Russell Martin, Michael, was the wrong choice right away. Thelwell and Stewart have undoubtedly underestimated the qualities of a manager Rangers need, despite their questionable previous records. They need to go as well. Please, Kevin Muscat or Steve G.
Ian: Never have I been so happy to see someone receive the sack. We were all hoping he would turn it around, but it never really looked likely. His attitude in after-game interviews shocked. He actually appeared to be uninterested. Bring back Barry and his team or SG.
Jim: Martin was too tactful and obstinate tactically. We don’t want a young manager to talk about a “project” in self-importance right now. Dyche or Muscat would be no-nonsense managers who would bring much needed leadership.
David: Because he is as bad as Martin, Sean Dyche will be the one to take us to. Someone with a variety of strategies and tactics must be chosen. Gerrard possibly, but there are others recently mentioned who are capable of providing this.
Stephan: No appointment was necessary. spent a lot of money on players who are unlikely to fit the new boss. Whoever got him in should not be in charge of the next appointment. Next up should be Gerrard or Muscat.
Willie: Foreign managers and too many foreign players left years ago. Use the money on the academy. That is the recommended course of action.
Marwan: This implausible Russell Martin belongs with Rangers. I hope our next manager is Sean Dyche – a decent, Premier League-class manager who took Burnley on a smaĺl budget to seventh position and then to Europa League. And Walter Smith’s style is very similar to his.
Russell Martin appears to be a decent man, but it was immediately apparent that his leadership of Rangers was unqualified and that he had not delivered on any of his promises when he took over. Hopefully we can find a manager who understands the club and that every game for Rangers is a must win.
James: He never performed the required duties. When he took charge, Barry Ferguson was the only player to get the most out of his team. But, good as he was, he was only a care taker. Who really wants the job, given that it’s a bit like a poison chalice, is the question?
Paul: I believe a capable manager and a strong squad will keep the team together. Derek McInnes is the man for the job, but will he leave Hearts? I’m hoping so, but we also need a manager who uses the attributes of the players rather than making them play in one particular way.
Alex: 123 days too long, Alex, overstayed his welcome. Kevin Thelwell and Patrick Stewart next too. They were a component of the issue. In a heartbeat, I’d return Stevie G.
Who will want to contact us right away?
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There were some who had sympathy for Martin as they see deeper problems at Ibrox.
Derek, I believe it is premature. No one in the financial stratosphere of Rangers will achieve the desired results right away. This, while admittedly atrocious, is just going to be rinsed and repeated until there’s an understanding that more than a decade of catastrophic mismanagement isn’t going to be undone by one appointment and one transfer window.
It’s unfortunate that he wasn’t given more time, White andamp; Wooly. After 50 or more games, Ian McCall has stated repeatedly that you should evaluate a manager.
Kenneth: Rangers have been failing greatly in the last few years due to poor decision making from those behind the scenes of the club. While elected team managers were largely responsible for the club’s failure, they have been getting away with a good deal of the blame for the club’s failure. The fact that Rangers have four managers in three years directly reflects poor decisions made by those in the top ranks.
James: Russell Martin was no good as a Rangers player and proved he was not management material. However, the players must bear some of the blame for what is happening, and most recent signings should be let go because they are not qualified to play the Scottish game. Additionally, I’m persuaded that the dressing room has a significant issue that needs to be fixed before things can improve.
Gordon: I’m not here defending him, but the same problems Martin had are the same problems Ferguson and the rest have had previously. With the remaining players, nothing will change.
Jim, what happens if the new manager loses? Are we going to treat him like this? Future managers, players, and supporters should consider this club again, in my opinion. No-one deserves this kind of treatment, but sack the guy, that’s fair enough.
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- Scottish Premiership
- Rangers
- Scottish Football
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