Rangers Football Club has appointed Russell Martin as their new head coach, signing the former Southampton manager to a three-year contract.
This move marks the start of a fresh chapter at Ibrox following the recent takeover by a US-based consortium led by Andrew Cavenagh and backed by the San Francisco 49ers’ investment arm.
A Competitive Appointment After a Tough Premier League Spell
Martin was chosen as the leading candidate after a recruitment process featuring high-profile names like former Real Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti and ex-Rangers manager Steven Gerrard.
The Scottish defender turned coach had a challenging stint at Southampton, departing in December after just one win in 16 Premier League matches.
Despite guiding Southampton to promotion via the Championship play-offs the season before, his possession-based style came under heavy scrutiny during their top-flight struggles.
New Structure, New Challenges at Ibrox
At Rangers, Martin’s role is defined as head coach rather than traditional manager, reflecting a new operational setup.
The club’s front office now includes former sporting director Kevin Thelwell and technical director Dan Purdy, both bringing valuable Premier League experience.
This leadership team faces the task of lifting Rangers from last season’s runner-up spot, finishing 17 points behind Celtic and without securing any trophies.
Familiar Face with a Mission
Martin isn’t new to Rangers fans—he earned 17 caps during a loan spell at the club in 2018 and made 29 appearances for Scotland internationally.
With a busy summer ahead, the former defender now aims to rebuild a more competitive squad and close the gap in Scottish football’s top tier.
