Rangers Football Club sacked head coach Russell Martin on October 5, 2025, hours after a frustrating 1-1 draw with Falkirk.
The 39-year-old’s dismissal marks the shortest tenure of any permanent boss in the club’s 153-year history.
Martin, appointed in June on a three-year deal, leaves with his assistants Matt Gill and Mike Williamson, amid a dismal start that saw Rangers sit eighth in the Scottish Premiership with only one win from seven games.
The club thanked him for his hard work but cited unmet expectations, sparking a search for a new manager.
Fans across Europe and the UK react with relief as of 10:45 AM IST today, Monday, October 6, 2025.
Reasons for the Sacking
Martin’s exit followed a chaotic season opener.
Rangers suffered a humiliating 6-0 Europa League loss to Club Brugge—their joint-worst European defeat—and exited Champions League qualifiers 9-1 on aggregate to the same side.
In the Premiership, they drew their first five games, including a goalless Old Firm stalemate with Celtic, before a 1-0 loss to Hearts at Ibrox.
The Falkirk draw, where fans blocked the team bus and required police on horseback to escort Martin away, proved the final straw.
Club CEO Patrick Stewart admitted the “noise” around the appointment grew too loud.
Martin’s possession-based style, which averaged 66% ball control at Southampton, clashed with Rangers’ high-pressure expectations.
He publicly called out players for lacking “bravery” after the Motherwell draw and organized a controversial Loch Lomond swimming trip for team bonding amid the winless run.
Despite £34m spent on 12 new signings, including record buy Youssef Chermiti from Everton, results failed to materialize.
Fan protests escalated, with banners demanding his sacking and the supporters’ trust urging the board to act.
Martin’s Tenure and Record
Martin joined Rangers in June 2025 as the first permanent “head coach” under a new U.S. ownership structure, with sporting director Kevin Thelwell handling recruitment.
Stewart hailed him as a “culture architect” for his success at MK Dons, Swansea, and Southampton, where he won promotion via play-offs despite a dismal Premier League stint (one win in 16 games, sacked in December 2024).
In 17 games, Martin recorded:
- Scottish Premiership: 1 win, 5 draws, 1 loss (8th place).
- Europa League: 0 wins (6-0 loss to Club Brugge).
- League Cup: Advanced to semi-finals (3-0 win over Hibs).
- Champions League Qualifiers: Progressed past Panathinaikos but out 9-1 aggregate to Club Brugge.
His 123-day stint beat Paul Le Guen’s previous record of 186 days.
Martin, a former Rangers loanee in 2018, aimed to “prove the doubters wrong” but faced immediate scrutiny.
In his final BBC interview after Falkirk, he insisted, “I can still turn this around,” but the board acted swiftly.
Club Statement and Immediate Fallout
Rangers’ brief statement read: “While all transition periods require some time, results have not met the club’s expectations.
Russell and his staff have worked exceptionally hard. We thank them for their efforts and wish them well.”
No interim coach named yet, but assistant Billy McKinlay may take charge for Dundee United on October 18.
The board, including new U.S. owners, faces criticism for the fourth sacking in three years (Gerrard, van Bronckhorst, Beale, Clement, now Martin).
Potential Replacements
The search intensifies, with Stewart calling it the “most important hire.” Kris Boyd on Sky Sports suggested:
- Sean Dyche (ex-Everton, strong character, past ties to Thelwell).
- Frank Lampard (at Coventry, Premier League experience).
- Steven Gerrard (title winner 2021, under consideration per Guardian reports).
Other names include Danny Röhl (ex-Sheffield Wednesday) and Michael Beale (recently at Sunderland).
Gerrard, now in Saudi Arabia, tops odds at 3/1, with Dyche at 5/1. Boyd urged a “strong character” to fix the “broken” setup.
Fan and Media Reactions
Fans vented fury, blocking the bus and chanting for Martin’s head.
On X, relief mixes with anger. One post read, “Finally! Martin sacked after 123 days of hell—Gerrard back?” .
Another tweeted, “Shortest boss ever—board must go too!” .
Media calls it a “horror show.” BBC’s Tom English noted Martin’s “stubborn” style failed at Ibrox, while Sky Sports highlighted the £34m spend yielding one league win.
The Athletic blamed disjointed recruitment and fan unrest.
What Happens Next?
Rangers host Dundee United on October 18, with an interim likely.
The board seeks a savior amid Celtic’s nine-point lead. Martin’s next move remains unclear, but his Southampton sacking after promotion echoes this short stint.
This saga underscores Rangers’ instability, but fans hope for revival.
Stay tuned for manager news!