Russell Martin has been sacked as Rangers boss, the Scottish giants have confirmed.
The decision comes with Martin’s final game in charge seeing Rangers play out a disappointing 1-1 draw at Falkirk on Sunday.
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Martin was in charge of Rangers for just 17 matchesCredit: GettyRussell Martin forced to travel separately via police escort as Rangers fans block team coach
A club statement read: “Rangers Football Club confirms that it has parted company with head coach, Russell Martin.
“While all transition periods require some time, results have not met the club’s expectations.
“Assistant head coach, Matt Gill, and first-team Coach, Mike Williamson, will also be departing.
“Russell and his staff have worked exceptionally hard throughout their time at the club. We thank them for their efforts and wish them well for the future.
“Further updates from the club will follow in due course.”
Rangers are eighth in the Scottish Premiership, already 11 points behind leaders Hearts.
Things took a nasty turn after the Falkirk match with Martin forced to travel away from Falkirk Stadium in a separate vehicle from the team coach.
This was because Rangers fans were seen blocking the bus after the match ended, with the car Martin travelled in being flanked by security and police officers when it left the ground.
Rangers have managed just one league win and have lost both their Europa League league phase matches having crashed out of Champions League qualifying following a 9-1 aggregate loss to Club Brugge.
Martin, who was in charge of 17 Rangers matches was at Rangers for 123 days and breaks the record of being the shortest-serving manager in the club’s history.
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The writing has been on the wall for Martin for some time
Former boss Steven Gerrard is expected to be considered, while Danny Rohl is another name appreciated by senior figures at the club. Both were on the shortlist before Martin took charge.
Martin’s Ibrox nightmare
The former Scotland international was only appointed in June, succeeding Philippe Clement as the permanent boss of the Scottish giants.
However, he’s relieved of his duties just four months into the three-year contract he signed at Ibrox.
Things started pretty well for the former Southampton, Swansea and MK Dons boss as Rangers successfully negotiated a Champions League qualifier against Greek side Panathinaikos, winning 3-1 on aggregate.
Sadly for Martin and his coaching staff, that was as good as it’s got.
Rangers have started the league season poorly, managing their first win at the sixth attempt, which was a 2-1 win at Livingston on September 28.
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Martin has had to deal with a lot of vitriol from Rangers supporters in recent weeks
They also failed to reach the Champions League proper with Gers crashing out of Europe’s premier club competition with an embarrassing 9-1 aggregate defeat to Belgian outfit Brugge.
Rangers have made a dreadful start to their Europa League campaign, losing both of their league phase encounters to Genk and Sturn Graz respectively.
Martin has had to deal with lots of vitriol from furious Rangers supporters, who have been seen holding banners against the manager during matches.
But the Rangers fans will have their wish granted in seeing a new manager walk through the door.
Rangers’ next match sees them host Dundee United on October 18 before resuming their European campaign against Norway’s Brann five days later.
They are also in the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup, where they face Celtic at Hampden Park on November 2.
Next Rangers boss
Gerrard is amongst the candidates to succeed Martin in the Ibrox hotseat.
The Liverpool legend began his senior managerial career with Rangers back in 2018.
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Gerrard is a candidate to return to Ibrox four years after guiding the club to a league titleCredit: getty
He went on to spend over three years in charge in Glasgow before leaving to take the Aston Villa job.
Gerrard is currently available after leaving Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq in January.
During his time as Rangers boss, Gerrard won 124 of his 192 matches across all competitions.
The highlight of his tenure in Glasgow saw him guide the club to an unbeaten league title during the 2020/21 season, preventing rivals Celtic from an unprecedented ten league titles in a row.