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Ally McCoist, the ex-Ibrox manager, made a point during a television broadcast about Rangers’ Europa League defeat by Sturm Graz.

“Why do you get rid of Giovanni van Bronckhorst?” is the question that is obvious. He said something unexpectedly.

Why should you get rid of a man who won the penalty-heavy European final?

They have a significant backwards, I tell them, but it hurts me to say that.

Van Bronckhorst’s dismissal in November 2022, after only 12 months in charge, was a reference to McCoist’s statement.

He had won the first Scottish Cup in 13 years and had already helped Rangers reach the Europa League final when they agonized over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Following Thursday’s 2-1 defeat, McCoist’s point gave people pause to consider. It’s easy to disagree with his claim that, under Michael Beale, Philippe Clement, and now in the early stages of Russell Martin’s tenure, there hasn’t been much progress at Ibrox.

Rangers have come a long way from where they were after hiring and firing in recent years. Repeating the process with the same result.

The lesson from McCoist’s point, perhaps unintended, may be that, especially when it is very early in a project, change isn’t always the right choice.

Van Bronckhorst only received a year’s worth of awards despite achieving European glory. Martin’s bank has far less fan goodwill than Martin.

Rangers are now, of course, under new leadership following the US-led acquisition by Chairman Andrew Cavenagh and 49er Enterprises.

They are very much responsible for Martin’s appointment, but they cannot be held accountable for previous decisions.

Rangers’ CEO Patrick Stewart stated at the unveiling that “we wanted a coach who will excel in terms of how we want to play, improve our culture, develop our squad, and ultimately win games.” Russell made a strong choice.

We think Russell can enhance on-pitch performance while also fostering the culture and infrastructure necessary for consistent and long-term success, Cavenagh said.

Van Bronckhorst’s demise is where many people wanted him, but not with the same ferocity as Martin does.

How many people would welcome him back today or wish to travel to a time when the European finals seemed feasible?

After a brief spell at Besiktas, Dutch manager Arne Slot appointed him as Anfield assistant manager this summer, showing that his credentials are highly valued by English Premier League-winning manager Arne Slot.

However, Steven Gerrard’s long-awaited Scottish title and uninspiring domestic displays balanced his high points.

Although Rangers were unprepared for that stage at the time, and the financial boost was most appreciated, it only added to their woes.

There is no denying that former Heart of Midlothian and Dundee United head coach Robbie Neilson had a say in the Scottish Football Podcast when he said, “We are starting to spiral and we’re getting to that point where the players’ negative attitude is definitely having an impact.”

“Wining football games is the only way to turn that,” he said. The only way they can win is if they can get the squad to win six, seven, and eight consecutive victories.

Russell Martin appears to have put “a lot of pressure” on himself to try to discredit the players.

“But I believe it’s starting to hurt the players as well right now because it’s at an extreme stage.”

However, Martin and the board are disputing previously unobserved levels of negativity. The support is encircled by an all-consuming crescendo of evil will that extends far and wide.

Despite the growing consensus over the past few weeks that even an extended run of positive results won’t change a support that appears to be turning, those in charge have remained firm so far.

Despite the lack of evidence at the moment, might McCoist’s point give cred to the notion that sticking with Martin might yield longer-term benefits?

Ange Postecoglou retains the immediate support of the Nottingham Forest hierarchy but pressure is growing following a winless start to his reign.

The club are without victory in the six matches since the Australian replaced Nuno Espirito Santo at the City Ground.

A section of Forest supporters chanted “you’re getting sacked in the morning” towards the former Tottenham and Celtic boss following Thursday’s 3-2 Europa League defeat at home to Midtjylland.

Forest face Newcastle on Sunday and it is understood the club’s board is still behind Postecoglou heading into the Premier League game.

There is, however, a sense the match at St James’ Park is likely to be significant in how Forest view Postecoglou’s position moving forward.

The game against Eddie Howe’s side provides the team with an opportunity to show that they are responding to Postecoglou’s coaching following his poor start.

While the result at Newcastle will be key, the manner of the performance, it is understood, will be equally as important.

Speaking on Friday afternoon, Postecoglou said the Europa League title he won at Tottenham last season, before he was sacked in the summer, demonstrates he does not allow pressure to impact his management.

“It doesn’t enter my head,” he added. “My responsibility lies in making sure this football club progresses and gets to a position where it can challenge for things,” said Postecoglou.

“If I start putting timelines to that or worry about what is going to happen next week then I am not performing the role I have been given.

“I just don’t think it is helpful to anyone. At the end of the day, I have to concentrate on the environment, the training, the way we play, and, as I said last night, I am still very, very strong in my belief that we are not too far away.

“Put it this way – I knew I was getting sacked at Tottenham about three or four months before I did, but that didn’t stop me from winning something.”

The 60-year-old joined Spurs from Celtic in 2023 and supporters initially warmed to the Australian for his attacking style of play, with the Londoners finishing fifth in the Premier League during his first season.

Postecoglou’s second term was more difficult as Spurs finished fourth from bottom in the table. He did, however, lead the club to their first trophy in 17 years as they beat Manchester United in the Europa League final.

With the current poor run of results, there is no denying it has been a difficult start for Postecoglou.

And the numbers illustrate just how poor Forest have been since his appointment.

In Postecoglou’s six matches, they have been beaten four times across three different competitions.

No Premier League team has lost as many matches as Forest since his appointment and they have conceded 13 goals – at a rate of 2.17 per game.

Only Manchester United and Burnley have a worse goals conceded per game average than Forest since Postecoglou’s arrival.

Surprisingly, it is the 35th instance in which a top-flight manager has failed to win any of their first six matches in charge in all competitions.

Paul Jewell holds the record, having failed to win any of his first 27 matches as Derby County boss in the 2007-2008 season.

Nuno was dismissed after just three matches of this campaign when Forest were 10th in the table. They are now 17th, having drawn one and lost two of their three domestic matches under Postecoglou.

It has been a tense 24 hours at the City Ground and Postecoglou’s press conference felt somewhat therapeutic.

The manager did not change his low tone of voice, but came across considered and even philosophical during his 30 minutes with the media.

Postecoglou spoke well, outlined why he felt Forest had failed to win any of his six games so far, all the while underlining the need to win before Sunday’s trip to Newcastle.

Under pressure towards the end of his Tottenham reign he often shot back at the press.

In May, he angrily dismissed a suggestion he was a clown, referencing a report which said he was “teetering between hero and clown” before the Europa League final.

Despite the defeat by Midtjylland, he feels the pressure to win games rather than win over supporters.

The strength his predecessor Nuno and, before him, Steve Cooper had was their connection with supporters.

Nuno had to win that trust following scepticism of his appointment in December 2023 after Cooper led Forest back to the Premier League.

Postecoglou started with negative equity, which has already diminished, having never been a favoured appointment of the fans, but the 60-year-old feels victories will appease the doubters.

There has been no whirlwind blowing through the City Ground despite the frustrations.

Nottingham Forest fan view. Pat Riddell – The Famous Club

This season should have been one of Nottingham Forest’s best in modern history. Qualification for Europe for the first time in 30 years, the best squad this century and everyone at the club pulling in the same direction.

Somehow, at least for now, that has all gone out of the window. Nuno has departed, performances have been abject and on Thursday night the City Ground turned on the new manager Ange Postecoglou after just six games.

And yet it’s very much classic Forest, a club that veers from success to self-made disaster like a learner driver who can’t stay in a lane.

For whatever reason, the much-heralded arrival of Edu seems to have destabilised the club. The global head of football only officially arrived in July but allegedly fell out with Nuno and, despite a successful transfer window, things have taken a turn for the worse ever since.

It might all be entirely coincidental but the lack of continuity at Forest has thrown the club into crisis. It’s a perfect storm of events that mean nine games into the season, the Reds have only won once.

Little wonder that some fans have already turned on him. Is it entirely of his own making? Of course not. Do the players bear some responsibility? Naturally.

Can he turn it around before it becomes even more toxic? With games against Newcastle, Chelsea, Porto, Bournemouth and Manchester United coming up, it’s very hard to say.

Ex-England head coach Andy Flower has left Trent Rockets to take charge at London Spirit.

Zimbabwean Flower, 57, has signed a multi-year contract and replaces Australian Justin Langer at Spirit, who finished second-bottom of the eight-team table last summer.

It is the second high-profile appointment at the Lord’s-based franchise since a 49% stake was sold to the Tech Titans for about £295m.

Earlier this summer, they named former England performance director Mo Bobat as their new director of cricket.

Bobat, who started in his new role on 1 October, holds the same role at Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League and, together with Flower, helped them to their first title earlier this year.

And so the revamp of The Hundred begins, the sign of what the competition may be like following more than £500m of investment.

The consortium that paid most for a stake in any of the eight teams, the Tech Titans, have poached the most sought-after coach on the franchise circuit. In doing so, they reunite Andy Flower with Spirit director Mo Bobat, the pair that finally delivered the Indian Premier League title to Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The last two of the eight investment deals were due to be completed this week and an announcement is thought to be imminent.

The Ambani Family, owners of IPL outfit Mumbai Indians, have paid around £60m for a 49% stake in Oval Invincibles. Cain International, co-founded by Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, is spending about £40m for the same share in Trent Rockets.

Flower’s move could be the tip of the iceberg for players and coaches. The man he is replacing at Spirit, Justin Langer, would seem a natural fit for Manchester Originals, who have sold a majority stake to the owners of Lucknow Super Giants, Langer’s IPL team.

In the men’s competition in particular there is expected to be a huge shake-up of playing squads, with an auction then used to select players.

Franchises might be allowed to retain as few as four of their current playing group, possibly adding a limited number of direct signings before the auction. This would particularly impact the Invincibles, who have won the past three men’s Hundred competitions.

Greater investment in The Hundred is expected to attract big name men’s overseas players and one star attraction who could be involved in 2026 is Ravichandran Ashwin.

Whereas Indian men are barred from overseas leagues so long as they are playing international cricket or the IPL, legendary off-spinner Ashwin has retired from both. The 39-year-old is due to play in Australia’s Big Bash this winter.