Russell Martin returns to Ibrox as new Rangers manager

Russell Martin has officially returned to Ibrox, signing a three-year contract to take the helm as Rangers' new head coach. This appointment signifies a fresh chapter for the club, following its recent takeover by a US-based consortium led by Andrew Cavenagh, which includes the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers. The 39-year-old former Scotland defender, who previously enjoyed a loan spell at Ibrox as a player, emerged as the leading candidate from a rigorous recruitment process that reportedly considered names like former Real Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti and ex-Rangers manager Steven Gerrard.

"From my time here, I had a taste of how special this club is, the expectation, the passion and the history," Martin stated. "As I return, I'm determined to bring success back. I'm here to set standards, work hard and do my very best to earn the respect of the Rangers fans. The goal is clear: win matches, win trophies and give Rangers fans a team that they can be proud of. We want to play with bravery, to take the ball, to be aggressive, and to stand up in the big moments."

Martin's role is specifically "head coach," aligning with Rangers' new structural setup, which includes sporting director Kevin Thelwell and technical director Dan Purdy. He will be joined by assistant Matt Gill and performance coach Rhys Owen.

Why did Rangers pick Martin?

Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart, who spearheaded the coaching search alongside Thelwell, described Martin as the "standout candidate." Stewart articulated the club's clear criteria: "We wanted a coach who will excel in terms of how we want to play, improve our culture, develop our squad, and ultimately win matches. This appointment is about building a winning team and a strong culture. He is no stranger to our club, we expect success and Russell knows that."

Kevin Thelwell offered further insight into Martin's tactical philosophy, noting his time in the Premier League "has sharpened his approach." Thelwell added, "His teams play dominant football, they control the ball, dictate the tempo and impose themselves physically. They press aggressively and work relentlessly off the ball. These are all characteristics that we believe are required to be successful at home, away and abroad."

What are Martin's stats as a manager?

Martin began his managerial career with League One club MK Dons in 2019, achieving a 37.5% win rate (30 wins, 31 losses from 80 matches). He then moved to Championship side Swansea City in 2021, where his 99 games yielded 36 wins and 36 losses, a 36.4% win ratio. Most recently, Martin took charge at Southampton in June 2023, where he led his side on a 25-game unbeaten run that culminated in a play-off victory and promotion to the Premier League. However, his tenure ended abruptly in December after only one league win in 16 matches, with the team at the bottom of the league, resulting in an overall Southampton record of 33 wins and 26 losses, a win rate of 45.2%.