‘A proud club dragged into gutter’ – Rangers fans on manager search

Two weeks after Russell Martin’s exit, it is no clearer who will replace him as Rangers head coach.

Steven Gerrard was sounded out for the role but turned down the opportunity of a second stint in charge, citing concerns over the timing of the move.

Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl withdrew from the process following talks, although is now reportedly back in the running.

Then on Sunday, a deal to appoint Shanghai Port manager Kevin Muscat collapsed because of the Australian’s desire to see out the league season in China.

On the pitch, a 2-2 draw at home to Dundee United on Saturday failed to lift spirits of supporters angry at chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell’s handling of the search for a new manager.

Callum: This is becoming the worst disgrace in the history of Scottish football. When are the powers that be at Ibrox going to realise that if it is Thelwell and Stewart that continue to be the stumbling block then they have to be removed immediately? Three potential managers have turned us down in a little more than a week. Shocking and embarrassing.

Michael: Thelwell and Stewart want too much of an input into first-team affairs and this is what seems to be the breakdown. Both of them need to go. If Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe wanted Gerrard and Muscat then the deal should have happened – after all, they are the ‘bosses’.

Isobel: The club knew Muscat’s situation at the outset, so why go ahead at all if they were so desperate to get someone in ASAP? It is utter incompetence and breathtaking arrogance to believe they could get him in earlier given he was on the cusp of a second title. The whole management group including the Americans have dragged a proud club into the gutter in this continuing omnishambles. It is absolutely disgraceful and I actually feel for the players in all this, left leaderless, rudderless and hung out to dry.

Neil: It’s becoming clear that if the new manager wants control of recruitment then Thelwell is going to be the problem. Time for the owners to take control and show they are capable of running the club.

Stuart: I’ve supported this club since my late dad took me to my first game back in the late 1970s, spent thousands travelling across the UK and Europe to watch them and this is quite ‘simply the worst’ I’ve ever seen from top to bottom. Poor boardroom choices, poor management and poor recruitment. Thelwell and Stewart have to go as they’re simply filling their pockets whilst making a complete mockery of what was once a proud club.

Sonny: Sack the board. The Americans have somehow managed to turn the club into a bigger shambles than the previous administration, which I thought was impossible. We’re a laughing stock and there’s hardly an array of great candidates remaining. Embarrassing.

Brian: What a shambles and what an absolute shocker from those in charge – the blame must lie with Stewart and Thewell, who could not even make a double act as a pantomime horse. I am at a complete loss bordering on despair.

Alexander: The main problem appears to be Thelwell and Stewart. If these two are the reason we can’t get a deal finalised then get rid of them. Rangers are too big to be run in such a haphazard way. The supporters aren’t going to take much more of this nonsense, maybe an empty Ibrox and not renewing season tickets will wake the owners up.

Edward: What about David Martindale? Done a great job for Livingston. Could do a lot worse.

Stephen: Ange is free!

Gavin: Utter shambles. At least Ange is available now, I’m sure he would welcome a return to Glasgow!

Chico: It feels very much like we need to bring Ally McCoist back in again and rebuild for some incredible times ahead, not keep bringing in a head coach that will be inadequate and under pressure from the fans.

Elyag: Get Giovanni van Bronckhorst back, should never have sacked him.

Michael: Give the job to Barry Ferguson, at least he has heart. He did a good job as interim manager before.

Ian: It’s so obvious. Bring back Ferguson and his backroom staff. Bring back pride, credibility, passion and integrity and what it means to wear the shirt. A winner, an international player and an inspirational coach with an unparalleled knowledge of a great club. Second-rate coaches need no longer apply.