Rangers Football Club has confirmed the termination of head coach Russell Martin's tenure, marking their fourth managerial change in under three years. The decision came after a 1-1 draw with Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership, leaving the Ibrox side with just one victory in their first seven league matches—a performance that tied the club's worst-ever start at this stage of the season.
The dismissal followed a turbulent period for Martin, who faced intense backlash from fans. After the Falkirk game, supporters surrounded the team's bus, necessitating a police escort for Martin as he left the stadium. The club's statement acknowledged the challenges of transition but emphasized that results failed to meet expectations, stating, "While all transition periods require some time, results have not met the club's expectations."
Under Martin's leadership, Rangers struggled both domestically and in Europe. Despite progressing in the League Cup, his team suffered two Europa League defeats against Genk and Sturm Graz, and a humiliating 9-1 aggregate loss to Club Brugge in the Champions League play-off, including a 6-0 home defeat—their joint-worst European result. Martin's record of five wins in 17 matches made him the lowest-ranked permanent manager in the club's history.
The 39-year-old's appointment had been met with skepticism, with CEO Patrick Stewart admitting to being "not oblivious to the noise" from fans. Issues with squad dynamics further complicated his tenure, including a notable incident where striker Hamza Igamane refused to sub in during a draw against St Mirren, leading to his eventual sale to Lille. Martin's critiques of player mentality, echoed from his previous roles, deepened fan frustrations, with critics questioning his tactics and approach.
Assistant head coach Matt Gill and first-team coach Mike Williamson will also leave the club. The statement praised Martin's "exceptional efforts" but signaled a shift in direction. With the team now facing Dundee United at Ibrox on October 18 following the international break, the search for a new manager begins amid growing pressure to restore stability and success.
Rangers' recent permanent managers include Steven Gerrard (2018-2021), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (2021-2022), Michael Beale (2022-2023), and Philippe Clement (2023-2025), underscoring a period of instability. The club's next steps remain unclear, but the sacking of Martin underscores the urgency for change as they aim to climb the league table and reclaim their competitive edge.
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