It’s official, Rangers FC have announced Russell Martin as their new permanent manager, after the sacking of Philippe Clement. The club announced that Martin had signed a three-year contract, and it represents a big leap forward in his managerial career. He’ll continue steering the committee as they prepare the school for the next season, with so much potential still ahead. Their first pre-season friendly is scheduled for July 6 against Club Brugge.
The appointment arrives at a crucial juncture for Rangers, who have the intend to lift their toehold on Scottish football following across the board from current kings Celtic. Almost as celebrated has been Martin’s journey to get there. His recent struggles at Southampton, which culminated in his firing last week, have generated tremendous debate and analysis. His appointment has been received with notable agreement amongst fans, many of whom feared the club was heading in the wrong direction.
Over in Scotland, Rangers’ players will be back for pre-season training on June 23. That provides Martin with the opportunity to execute his plan before the next campaign is well underway. Martin’s 39.2 percent win rate from his past managerial positions is nothing to sneeze at. Now, he’ll have to take that style and mold it in a way that best fits the needs of Rangers and their fans.
Russell Martin’s Coaching Background
Prior to his tenure with Rangers, Russell Martin had managerial stints with MK Dons and Swansea City. We saw that clarity in his coaching philosophy serve him well across those positions. His approach has frequently been likened to his former teammate and now peer at Beşiktaş, Vincent Kompany, focusing on a possession-orientated game and developing youth talent. He knows that change is needed at Rangers. This is key, given the enormous pressure that comes with being at the helm of one of the world’s biggest clubs.
Martin’s tenure at Southampton was notably tumultuous. He only achieved one victory in 16 games, a poor record that resulted in his dismissal. Even through this misstep, there are still people in the football world that are rooting for Martin to succeed.
“I think it’s a fantastic appointment for Rangers,” – Kris Boyd
Some Rangers fans are unsure he will be a success in Glasgow. Critics look at his lack of coaching experience and how he can possibly develop at the club.
The Road Ahead for Rangers
Here are four key areas Martin will need to tackle if he’s got any hope of avoiding the mistakes that led Rangers to an underwhelming last season. The team’s biggest issues were off the field, outside of their games against Celtic. They proved to be vulnerable even to inferior foes.
“If you look at Rangers’ problems, they didn’t come against Celtic last year, they were against everyone else.”
It lays a strong claim on the urgency for Martin’s leadership to reverse the course of the club’s fortunes. He has to cultivate a winning culture among players while making sure they stay competitive all season long.
Rangers’ pre-season schedule provides an opportunity for Martin to assess his squad and implement his tactics before the regular season begins. His first match against Club Brugge will be an important early test for Martin and for the reconfigured club as a whole. After that fixture, Middlesbrough will come to Ibrox on July 26 for a second friendly meeting.
Adapting to Expectations
As such, Martin knows that accepting the management position at Rangers represents moving into the spotlight and with that spotlight, more pressure and expectation. His philosophy, which he spelled out at length on Monday Night Football back in March, boils down to knowing who you are and how you want to play. He learned that adaptability is key. Few are better qualified to deal with the genuinely unique challenges that come with managing a club of Rangers’ stature.
“Everybody speaks about the Premier League being the best league in the world, so I think to be able to go up and still cause problems… you’ve got to stick to your beliefs.”
Martin faces a task of bringing success back to Ibrox after their fall from grace. His objective is to do better than last year’s efforts. He wants to restore Rangers’ status as a dominant force in Scottish football.
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