Former Southampton boss Russell Martin appointed Rangers coach on three-year deal

 

Former Southampton boss Russell Martin appointed Rangers coach on three-year deal Rangers Football Club has appointed Russell Martin as their new head coach on a three-year contract, the Scottish Premiership side announced. The 39-year-old, who briefly played for Rangers on loan in 2018, replaces Philippe Clement, who was sacked in February. Barry Ferguson managed the team on an interim basis until the season’s end. Martin emerged as the top choice following a thorough recruitment process led by the club’s new U.S. ownership group, headed by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises. Martin brings a wealth of managerial experience from his stints at MK Dons, Swansea City, and Southampton. At Southampton, he secured Premier League promotion through the Championship play-offs in 2024 but was sacked in December after a dismal top-flight campaign, with only one win in 16 games, leading to relegation. His possession-based, attacking philosophy, inspired by Pep Guardiola, has earned praise for its flair but faced criticism for its inflexibility in high-stakes scenarios. Tasked with reviving Rangers, Martin faces the challenge of closing the gap on rivals Celtic, who have won 13 of the last 14 Scottish Premiership titles. Last season, Rangers finished 17 points behind Celtic, exited the Scottish Cup and League Cup, and reached the Europa League quarter-finals. Martin’s appointment aligns with a broader restructuring at Ibrox, backed by the new ownership’s ambition to restore the club’s dominance. His return to Rangers, where he made 17 appearances as a player, marks a homecoming, and fans are eager to see if his bold style can deliver silverware. Martin’s first task will be to instill consistency and challenge Celtic’s stranglehold on Scottish football in the upcoming season.

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