Latest news with #ex-Gers
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Russell Martin appointed Rangers manager on 3 year contract as ex Southampton boss leads 49ers revolution
Martin is the man entrusted by the new Ibrox hierarchy to get Gers challenging again Russell Martin has been appointed as the new manager of Rangers on a three-year deal. Record Sport exclusively broke the news on Wednesday night that Martin will be officially paraded in the next 48 hours after convincing new chairman Andrew Cavenagh that he was the best man for the job. The Englishman has been without a club since getting the sack at Southampton last December, just six months after leading the club back to the Premier League through the Championship play-offs. It's believed the ex-Gers and Scotland defender had been in discussions with Leicester City but has knocked back the chance to replace Ruud van Nistlerooy by finalising a return to Govan instead. The appointment brings the near four-month-long search for a new manager in Govan to an end. The Light Blues had been without a permanent boss since sacking Philippe Clement at the end of February, with former club captain Barry Ferguson taking on the reins on an interim basis for the remainder of the campaign. But with 49ers Enterprises completing their takeover of Rangers last Friday, the hunt to get a new man in the dugout was ramped up. Sweeping changes in the Ibrox hierarchy have also seen Kevin Thelwell appointed as the club's new sporting director, with fellow Everton colleague Dan Purdy also joining Gers as technical director. Martin has already had a brief taste of what being at Ibrox is all about, having spent the second half of the 2017/18 season on loan with Gers during his playing career. The 39-year-old will be keen to get down to business straight away, with Rangers entering the second qualifying round of the Champions League on July 22/23. It's expected he'll be joined by long term assistant Matty Gill, while former Gers full-back Maurice Ross has also been earmarked for a key role in the coaching staff Martin's arrival comes following a major plot twist in talks with rival target Davide Ancelotti, who suddenly appeared to cool on the prospect of making the move from Madrid to Glasgow's south side. The son of managerial great Carlo appeared to be the frontrunner after holding a series of discussions with Thelwell and Gretar Steinsson, football adviser to the San Francisco 49ers. But Ancelotti's camp began to stall on a move to Ibrox at the start of this week, with the young coach being lined up by Como as a replacement for Cesc Fabregas - who could succeed Al-Hilal-bound Simone Inzaghi at Inter Milan. Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Russell Martin set to be named next Rangers manager after fresh talks with Ibrox bosses as appointment timeline revealed
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RUSSELL MARTIN is on the brink of becoming Rangers manager after fresh talks with new Ibrox bosses. SunSport can reveal the ex-Gers and Scotland defender is in final negotiations over personal terms to succeed Philippe Clement. 2 Russell Martin has impressed the Ibrox powerbrokers Credit: Getty 2 Russell Martin during his time tat Southampton Credit: Getty We first revealed on February 22 that Martin - who has bossed MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton - was being considered for the post. It now seems certain he has seen off competition from Davide Ancelotti, Steven Gerrard, Brian Priske and Francesco Farioli to land the biggest job of his career. New chairman Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers Enterprises completed their Ibrox takeover last Friday. New sporting director Kevin Thelwell officially started work yesterday and promised a new head coach would be appointed in the "coming days". It's understood the appointment is unlikely to be announced today. But with recruitment chief Nils Koppen departing to be replaced by Dan Purdy - who worked with Thelwell at Everton - it's clear Gers are stepping up their overhaul. Now Martin, 39, who had a loan spell at Ibrox seven years ago, has emerged from the pack of candidates. He led Southampton into the Premier League with a play-off win over Leeds United at Wembley a year ago. But the Saints plunged straight back down after failing to recover from the horror start of one win in 16 games which cost Martin his job. Robert Grieve & Bill Leckie have the very latest on the Rangers manager situation as Steven Gerrard & Russell Martin emerge as front-runners Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘I don't know why I can't get a job' – Rangers cult hero quizzed on whether Old Firm past is denying him opportunities
He reckons people still think he acts like he did on the pitch - and called one of his old Celtic enemies "one of the nicest people you can meet" OUT OF THE GAME OUT OF THE GAME 'I don't know why I can't get a job' – Rangers cult hero quizzed on whether Old Firm past is denying him opportunities Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER Rangers star Nacho Novo is desperate for a job in football management. But he has been left scratching his head as to why he hasn't had more opportunities. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 3 Nacho Novo was a cult hero during his time at Rangers Credit: Alamy 3 Novo during his time with Lexington SC in the USA 3 He's been talking about his hunt for a full-time managerial job Credit: LET ME BE FRANK The ex-Gers striker returned to Scottish football with Drumchapel United as part of the coaching staff last year. Drumchapel currently ply their trade in the West of Scotland Football League Premier Division - the sixth tier of the SPFL pyramid. While Novo admits he loves working with the part-timers but has found himself questioning why, after such a glittering playing career, that he's been passed over for other coaching jobs. It was reported last year that Novo applied for the Raith Rovers job when Ian Murray was bizarrely sacked just one game into the season. But the Kirkcaldy club appointed Neil Collins as his successor. Novo, 46, retired in 2017 after having played in the top flights of Spain, Scotland and Poland and winning seven trophies (six with Gers and one with Legia Warsaw). He went through his coaching badges before landing his first job as a coach at Lexington SC in USL League One (the third tier of football in the United States). He initially served as assistant manager and as the head coach of the Under-23s before being promoted to the interim role in September 2023. But he left and within a year had returned to Scotland. After a full season with Drumchapel, Novo has admitted he is still chasing a dream of opening a football academy if he doesn't get a full-time job in management. Rangers fans react as 49ers takeover completed Speaking on the Let Me Be Frank podcast, Novo said: "I've been at Drumchapel for a whole season now and I love it. "Especially because it's proper football, that's how I'd say it! Proper tackles! "We had a good group of boys, some have been pros. They did well this season." Drumchapel finished sixth in the Premier Division this season. And despite his reputation as a former Rangers fan favourite, Novo insists he never had any added grief on the sidelines over the past year. But he does wonder if his association to the Light Blues has held him back when it comes to applying for other jobs higher up the food chain. He said: "I don't know why I can't get a job in football as a coach or anything like that. "Is it because of Rangers? I don't know. "It's probably because of how I was on the park but how I was on the park is not how I am as a person outside." Expanding on that point, Novo talked about how former Celtic foes like John Hartson remain good family friends to this day. And how one-time arch rival Neil Lennon is one of the nicest people he's met in football. Novo said: "People think about Neil Lennon for example, they think he's terrible, that he acts like he did on the pitch. He's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. "John Hartson, he's a good friend of my family. "We played on the same park and hated each other but we respected each other. "On the pitch we were enemies and that was my mentality but outside of that I'm very quiet and a family man." Novo has been approached for a scouting job that would see him scour Scotland and the north of England for talent. But his main ambition is to open a cross-border football academy that would link his homeland and his adopted home. He said: "I tried to open a football academy here and in Spain. "I wanted to bring clubs from Scotland over to Spain for a tournament and bring Spanish teams here for the same thing. "But that takes a lot of insurance to do it right, a lot of admin and red tape. "That's my idea at the moment." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Major update on Michael Beale to Hull City as ex-Rangers boss namechecked by owner
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER Rangers boss Michael Beale has been in talks over a stunning return to management - 15 months after he was axed by Sunderland. The ex-Gers gaffer and coach is one of several names on Hull City's shortlist to replace Ruben Selles after his dismissal last week. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 4 Michael Beale hasn't managed a club since he was axed by Sunderland Credit: Reuters 4 He was sacked by Rangers and Sunderland in the same season Credit: PA 4 He has been Steven Gerrard's right-hand man at several clubs Credit: Getty We told you yesterday how Beale, 44, had interviewed for the role with chiefs in the process of whittling down their candidates. Club owner Acun Ilicali has been leading the search alongside newly-appointed head of recruitment Martin Hodge and Mustapha Yokes. It was understood that both Beale and Turkey legend Emre Belozoglu - who is currently the manager of Antalyaspor - are both on the board's radar. Now Ilicali has confirmed that is indeed the case, with the pair high up on the shortlist. However, the 55-year-old has stated that NEITHER of them is the frontrunner to replace Selles. He's suggested that a move for Beale is unlikely as another candidate - who remains nameless - is his preferred option at this stage. Speaking to Hull Live, he said: "I don't want to mention too much about the possibility of the managers because I don't feel good when I'm talking about managers on behalf of the managers, like it is possible, it is not possible. "It is like me judging them. I believe all the managers we are talking to are very good managers. I think Emre is a top manager. Michael Beale, when you speak to him, you understand that he knows so much about the game. "We have football minds in the club that will decide about this manager, and I cannot say at the moment to you that this one is like this or this one is like this. "What I can say is that I'm very hopeful to finish the deal in one week. Robert Grieve & Bill Leckie have the very latest on the Rangers manager situation as Steven Gerrard & Russell Martin emerge as front-runners "Yes (there are other potential candidates), because you only hear about two of our candidates. Beale has also been linked with a sensational return to Ibrox this summer - as Steven Gerrard's right-hand man once again. The Liverpool legend is the favourite to be appointed the next Rangers manager and Beale has been his number two throughout most of his managerial career to date. He worked with him at Rangers, Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq. But it's likely many fans will be against Beale returning for a third spell should Gerrard get the job after his disastrous spell as the leading man in the dugout when he replaced Giovanni van Bronckhorst. 4 Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Russell Martin the man to reinvent Rangers as transformative boss tipped to emerge from Steven Gerrard shadow
The former Ibrox defender has a huge fan in his former chairman who has backed him to revolutionise the Glasgow giants When Russell Martin got his first gig in management at MK Dons he didn't just get the team playing. He transformed an ENTIRE club. That's according to the man who took a gamble on him six years ago as a gaffer. And Pete Winkelman reckons giving Martin his dug-out start was one of the best decisions he's ever made. The 39-year-old has spoken to Rangers about replacing Philippe Clement at Ibrox and becoming their new boss. Martin is one of the leading candidates for the job after leaving Southampton in December and although Steven Gerrard is the frontrunner, the former centre-back must not be discounted. The ex-Gers and Scotland star was handed his first managerial role by Winkelman in League Two in 2019. And after guiding MK Dons to promotion, Martin was head-hunted by Swansea City - before eventually getting to the Premier League with Saints. Winkelman - who was in charge at MK for two decades - was always convinced Martin would be a top coach. That's why he's adamant that if the Rangers board decide he's their man, it could be the catalyst for an Old Firm power shift in Glasgow. He says Martin is capable of galvanising a whole club and getting it moving in the right direction. Winkelman told Record Sport: 'I'm a massive fan of Russ. I gave him his first job in management straight from playing. 'And it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. 'I always took risks with managers but it was a really good risk appointing Russ. 'Because he reinvented our club. He didn't just make us play better, he affected the culture of the club. 'He got us back on track with what I've always believed our club should be about. 'His philosophy guides everything, which means there's a continuity of purpose there. 'I was gutted to lose him but I didn't stand in his way. I understood why he had to take the next job. 'He was on a mission to get to the Premier League and he got there. 'Rangers would be a great job for him. It's a hard job with a lot of pressure. 'But it's one of the biggest in the country - and maybe it's time for the pendulum to swing again in Glasgow. 'I'm really excited that Russ is in with a shout and I wish him every success in trying to get it. 'I think he'd be a fantastic acquisition.' Winkelman took a chance on Roberto Di Matteo as a young gaffer at MK Dons - and he went on to win a Champions League as Chelsea boss in 2012. But he reckons Martin was one of his best appointments. He developed young players, including Matt O'Riley, who was transferred to Celtic and then made the other half of the Old Firm a tidy profit by signing for Premier League outfit Brighton. Winkelman is in no doubt that if Martin gets the job at Ibrox, Gers will be getting a top boss. He said: 'I wasn't scared of giving guys their first job. I did it with Roberto and it was the same with Russ. 'His football is wonderful to watch, the players play for him and he can spot a star. 'He was heavily involved in Matt's career, along with other players around that time like Scott Twine and Harry Darling. 'All of those came through with Russ. He's got a lot of experience already for a young manager - but he's also got the motivation, passion and drive to succeed. 'He's an intelligent man who has been on a huge learning curve. 'Rangers are a massive club but I think Russ would like the pressure there. 'Instead of being a minnow getting ready for a battering, he'd go there with expectation from everyone to win. 'That's definitely part of Russell's culture so I think he'd relish it. 'I'm proud to have given him his first job and I can't wait to see him back in the game. 'Going to Scotland would be a wonderful move for everyone concerned. 'He's about the whole club. He's very good at getting everyone moving in the right direction together.' Martin was still playing when the opportunity came up to manage MK Dons. And it was a chance meeting in a car park with Winkelman which paved the way for a managerial career. The former MK supremo, who left the club last year, said: 'I remember our manager, Paul Tisdale, had a bad start to the season after getting us promoted the previous year. 'I met Russ outside the stadium one day when we bumped into each other. He was still playing for us at the time. 'We just talked about football and the club. 'He spoke to me about philosophy and he just came across so well in terms of what he was thinking. 'I thought that day, he's definitely one for the future. A few weeks later, we gave him the job. 'I can only say great things about Russ. He's definitely in the top couple of managers I ever had at MK. 'Our recruitment when he was there was brilliant and he was involved in all of that.' Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
