
Russell Martin kickstarts Rangers overhaul as Ibrox club announce first major departure of new era
Martin is beginning to put his stamp on things at Ibrox
Rangers have confirmed the departure of first-team coach Issame Charai.
Former Morocco Under-23 head coach Charai only arrived at Ibrox in January to work under Philippe Clement - and was the only member of the coaching team to remain from the Belgian's era to work under Barry Ferguson.
But in a statement on Friday night, Gers have announced that Charai has left the club by mutual consent as Russell Martin pieces together his own backroom team.
Charai said: 'As I leave Rangers, I want to thank everyone at the club for their support during my time here.
'This is a really special club, and as it enters a new era, I want to wish everyone associated with the club the very best for what comes next.
'Above all, I want to thank the Rangers supporters for their amazing backing across the period.
"We had some high moments and some low moments, but their support was the constant. It is something I will always remember and be forever grateful for.'
Chief executive Patrick Stewart added: 'I want to place on record the sincere thanks of both the club and I to Issame for his work over the past six months.
'Through the managerial transition in February and beyond, he handled himself superbly and was a real asset to Barry and his staff during their period in charge of the team.
'As the men's first-team moves forth into this new era under Russell, it has been agreed between the club and Issame for him to move on.
'For whatever comes next for him, I want to wish him the very best of luck. He will always be welcome back at Ibrox.'
You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.
We're also on WhatsApp, where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside ex-Celtic and Scotland hero's property empire as Premier League ace spends £1.3millon buying six flats in one day
Couple's pads are near the River Clyde in Glasgow HOME WIN Inside ex-Celtic and Scotland hero's property empire as Premier League ace spends £1.3millon buying six flats in one day Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTLAND star and property entrepreneur Ryan Christie spent £1.3million on six homes in a single day. The former Celtic ace — who has a buy-to-let business — scored the plush pads in Glasgow with fiancée Georgie Bell. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 Footie star Ryan Christie has bought flats near the River Clyde in Glasgow 2 Ryan - who plays for Bournemouth - is due to marry artist Georgie Bell Records reveal they snapped up flats worth £275,000, £220,000, two at £215,000, and also £175,000 and £160,000 flats on April 28. The couple's Twenty Two Investment Properties Ltd now has a portfolio of more than a dozen homes. Christie, 30, from Inverness, currently stars for English Premier League side Bournemouth, where he was the club's player of the season despite a recurring groin injury. A source said: 'Ryan's work rate is quite incredible. He was player of the season, has undergone surgery and it also looks like he is due to get married. 'But he still found time to splash a fortune on half-a-dozen homes.' Five of his new acquisitions are at the Glasgow Harbour development on the banks of the River Clyde. The other lies near the Ovo Hydro venue in the city's Finnieston. On Instagram this month, Georgie, 30, posted photos with the caption: 'The summer I get married.' We told last year how the couple bought a £900,000 flat in Edinburgh's 19th century Moray Estate. We also revealed they teed up a £580,000 penthouse in St Andrews. Ryan Christie gives emotional interview after Scotland qualified for Euro 2020 The pad is just yards from Tiger Woods' and Justin Timberlake's planned new sports bar. Almost half a million pounds has been teed up for the themed venue at the home of golf. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page


Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Axed Rangers coach emerges as favourite for new job just ONE day after leaving Ibrox
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ISSAME CHARAI left Rangers earlier this week, but he looks to be nearing another job already. His contract was mutually terminated by the Ibrox club as Russell Martin begins to build his own backroom staff. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 2 Charai was brought in under Philippe Clement, but stayed through Barry Ferguson's interim tenure too Credit: Willie Vass 2 But with Rangers appointing Matt Gill as new assistant manager, Charai was left without a place Credit: Willie Vass The 43-year-old joined Rangers' staff in January, shortly before Philippe Clement was sacked, and he only lasted five months in the role. He might not be out the game for long though. Reports claim the former Gers number two is closing in on the Westerlo job. David Van der Broeck, a Belgian journalist claims he is favourite to succeed current boss Timmy Simons. He said on X, in response to Rangers' statement: "He is free to sign for Westerlo, where he is the favourite to succeed Timmy Simons as head coach." Charai left Rangers full of thanks for the club. He told the club's official website: 'As I leave Rangers, I want to thank everyone at the club for their support during my time here. 'This is a really special club, and as it enters a new era, I want to wish everyone associated with the club the very best for what comes next. 'Above all, I want to thank the Rangers supporters for their amazing backing across the period. We had some high moments and some low moments, but their support was the constant. It is something I will always remember and be forever grateful for.' Rangers CEO praised Charai as he moves on, saying: 'Through the managerial transition in February and beyond, he handled himself superbly and was a real asset to Barry and his staff during their period in charge of the team. Rangers fans react to news Russell Martin is their new manager 'As the men's first-team moves forth into this new era under Russell, it has been agreed between the club and Issame for him to move on." With Matt Gill joining Martin at Ibrox as his assistant coach, it left Charai without a place in the set up which inevitably lead to his departure from the Light Blues. Russell Martin has a busy summer ahead of him, preparing his Rangers squad for Champions League qualifiers. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Bouchard honoured at Tennis Black List Awards
France's Bouchard has worked within the tennis space for two decades and is the editor Tennis Sweet Spot, a newsletter about professional tennis on and off the court and has produced pieces for the likes of L'Equipe, Tennis Majors, Radio Canada, the BBC, Sports Illustrated, Le Parisien, RTL Radio, the Belgian press, and The Huffington Post. She has also collaborated with Novak Djokovic and his team in writing the book The Quest about Djokovic's historical win at Roland-Garros in 2016 and also translated Maria Sharapova's book 'Unstoppable' for French audiences. For her achievements as a broadcaster and writer as one of the few black journalists with a consistent and respected presence across the ATP, WTA and Slam tours, Bouchard was honoured with the Media award at this year's edition of the Tennis Black List, presented in association with Dante Talent and held during the HSBC Championships at The Queen's Club, London on the 11th of June, supported by the LTA. 'I just want to send a massive thank you to the Tennis Black List for the award,' said Bouchard. 'I am so stoked about it. Please keep the good work you are doing and keep supporting us all. It really matters.' Tennis Black List is the global celebration of Black and mixed black excellence across the game — spotlighting the unsung, the visionary and the next generation of changemakers. Taking place in the run up to The Championships at Wimbledon, the Tennis Black List recognises the contributions of individuals and organisations from grassroots level up to the professional game in Britain and internationally. It follows the example set by the successful and respected Football Black List, created by Leon Mann MBE and Rodney Hinds, and Rugby Black List which have demonstrated the power that celebrating black excellence can achieve in sport. The event was an opportunity to inspire the next generation in the tennis community, with the commitment shown by the winners on and off the court. Awards were handed out in ten categories across the evening at the ceremony, with several recipients present at the The Queen's Club. Founders Anne-Marie Batson and Richard Sackey Addo said: 'This movement is about legacy. Tennis Black List is creating space for Black and mixed-black heritage excellence to be seen, honoured and remembered across all areas of tennis. We are building a global legacy that makes space for what is next.' Launched in 2022; Tennis Black List is the only global platform dedicated to celebrating and documenting Black and mixed-black impact in tennis — from grassroots organisers to elite players. A movement rooted in recognition, legacy, and cultural celebration.