Glasgow Rangers’ next managerial appointment at Ibrox is the most important decision in the club’s recent history.
Since Rangers won league title number 55 in the 2020/21 season, the Gers have gone from coach to coach with no real identity, winning just two trophies in the process.
With the 49ers Enterprises takeover reportedly edging closer to completion, whoever comes in to manage at Ibrox next must be the man who can end years of their Old Firm rivals’ dominance.
Of course, this is easier said than done, especially considering the magnitude of the challenge faced by the next manager. Can a team be built over the course of a single summer that could change the future of the Light Blues?
It will be difficult, but there is no doubt that it can be done. Martin O’Neil signed players such as Chris Sutton, Neil Lennon and Alan Thompson upon arriving at the club in the summer of 2000.
A year later, he led the club to a treble success, reinvigorating the Parkhead side within a single transfer window.
Fast-forward 20 years and Ange Postecoglou did a similar sort of thing when he took the reins ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
Rangers must bring in their own Postecoglou this summer
During the summer of 2021, Steven Gerrard was looking to kick on from the club’s Premiership title success and turn them into the dominant force in Scotland.
A lack of backing by the board – which ultimately culminated in his departure that November – meant the Light Blues didn’t make much progress on the field, domestically anyway.
Postecoglou was deemed a risky appointment by Celtic, despite enjoying success in Japan during his previous role. Signings such as Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda and Jota provided the springboard for the Parkhead side to eventually overtake their rivals, although it did take a few months for things to gel.
The following year, they won another treble, and it was evident that the Australian manager had built something special in the space of just two years.
His style of play ensured Celtic had an identity, and they regularly got the best of the Gers during this period, losing to the Ibrox side just three times under the current Spurs manager.
Perhaps this is the direction that Rangers should be heading in this summer? Bringing in someone with a distinctive style of play that will appease the supporters and, in turn, achieve positive results.
As such, a shortlist has reportedly been chosen by the club for whom the next manager could be.
Rangers search for a new manager
The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath has reported recently that a quartet of names are being considered for the vacant managerial role. Gerrard is being ‘considered’ for the job, despite the board wanting to go in a new direction. Elsewhere, Rob Edwards, Gary O’Neil and Russell Martin are the other three names which are mentioned in the report.
McGrath states that there is ‘no clear favourite’ and there are several foreign coaches also on the current longlist.
With news that Athletic Club were knocked out of the Europa League at the semi-final stage, Rangers now enter the second round of Champions League qualifying, with the first leg either on July 22 or 23.
This indicates that the club need to make a decision on a new manager as soon as possible, especially with competitive fixtures starting so soon after pre-season.
With so many names being linked or on a shortlist, could the club bring in their own Ange by appointing Martin to the role of first-team manager?
Why Rangers must hire Russell Martin
Martin’s name may not stand out with regard to several other of the potential candidates, including the likes of Marco Rose or even Gerrard, but his attacking style of play could be key in getting him the role.
Indeed, respected analyst John Walker has regularly lobbied for Martin to secure the job ahead of next season and has praised him on numerous occasions of late.
Goals
87
Goals per game
1.9
Ball possession
66%
Big chances per game
2.8
Clean sheets
12
Goals conceded per game
1.4
Walker said that Martin “improves younger players” while promoting “exciting attacking football” that could see Rangers begin to thrive in domestic competition once again.
Even greater praise has come from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who said earlier this season: “He’s proven that his philosophy is extremely successful, what he did with Southampton and last year they were 25 games unbeaten. It was a joy to watch that team play, they deserve much more than what they have already.”
Indeed, Southampton may have struggled in the Premier League under the Scot, but in the second tier, they were incredible.
The Saints ranked in the top three out of all Championship clubs for chances created, shots at goal and big chances missed, while also completing the second-fewest long passes in the division.
This last statistic is particularly important. His teams love building up the play and focus on weak spots in the opposition defence. At times, under Philippe Clement, the back four regularly punted long balls up the pitch for the likes of Cyriel Dessers to chase, a tactic which did the coach no favours at all.
Judging by this, Martin has an approach which would fit with the direction Rangers wish to go in, especially with some of the players he will have at his disposal next season.
Operating with a 4-3-3 system, this could work wonders for the likes of Nico Raskin, Mohamed Diomande and Hamza Igamane going forwards.
Although he hasn’t won anything during his coaching career thus far, his style of play has been evident across spells with Southampton, Swansea and MK Dons. That much is certain.
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Will the board and new owners wish to appoint him, however? Especially given his lack of success. Or will they take a gamble this summer?
With the way things have gone recently, perhaps a gamble wouldn’t be a bad idea. He might just turn out to the club’s very own Ange.
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