Rangers sack Martin after 17 games

After 17 games, Russell Martin was fired as the Rangers’ head coach, the club claiming that “results have not met expectations” despite the club’s claim that “all transition periods require some time.”

The 39-year-old was given a police escort away from the stadium after supporters attempted to stop the team’s bus leaving in a 1-1 draw at Falkirk on Sunday following which he received a police escort.

Ibrox supporters had been protesting and criticizing Martin as the season was getting off to a sluggish start.

Rangers were unable to clinch the Scottish Premiership until late September, when Club Brugge hummed them 9-1 overall in the Champions League play-offs in August.

Rangers are eighth in the Premiership and 11 points clear of Hearts as the domestic season approaches its second international break.

Martin, who was hired by Rangers’ new American owners in June on a three-year contract, only won one of his seven league games, drawing five, and departs with five victories overall.

Both first-team coach Mike Williamson and assistant Matt Gill will leave.

“Russell and his staff have worked exceptionally hard throughout their time at the club,” the Rangers’ statement continued. We applaud their efforts and wish them the best of luck in the future.

Former MK Dons, Swansea City, and Southampton manager Martin appeared to have beaten Davide Ancelotti to the Ibrox job when he was appointed, with the Italian coach joining Botafogo after moving there.

Martin stated that “winning is how you persuade people,” and that he had promised his team would be “all in” to improve his club and this team.

The club had been looking for “a clear football style and identity,” according to Chief Executive Patrick Stewart, and success was anticipated.

Rangers are currently seeking their fourth 2025 manager.

After a 3-0 win over Celtic and a disappointing year in charge, Philippe Clement’s time in charge finally came to an end, with a Scottish Cup defeat at home to second-tier Queen’s Park.

For the remainder of the 2024-2019 season, Stewart and the Rangers tapped former team captain Barry Ferguson to lead the team.

Martin’s success in getting Southampton promoted to the Premier League through the 2024 play-offs seemed to be the qualification for the once-renamed head coach position.

However, Martin and Rangers’ fans were underwhelmed by his appointment, who only managed to win once in the English top flight.

A significant squad overhaul took place as a result of Kevin Thelwell’s addition to Ibrox over the summer as the sporting director.

Rangers made a number of purchases in English, including the signing of four loan signings and the astronomical £8 million purchase of Everton forward Youssef Chermiti. According to Thelwell, there was a net spend of about £20 million.

Forwards Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane left the team, who combined to score 45 goals last term. Martin claimed the striker had turned down his place in a draw with St Mirren, but they were replaced by Igamane.

Whoever succeeds at Rangers will inherit a team that lacks confidence, with their defense struggling to contain opponents for the majority of the season and a problem with goals.