49ers Enterprises to make ‘unpopular’ Rangers decisions after Martin reveal
Rangers now appear close to appointing Russell Martin as their next permanent manager, in a surprising twist.
49ers Enterprises recently completed their takeover of the Glasgow club, and are set to usher in a new era at Ibrox.
Rangers were linked with several managers over the last few months, but news emerged that Martin is closing in on the role, which has been treated with scepticism.
Davide Ancelotti was another key target, but the former Southampton manager has now been selected ahead of the Italian, and there could be more unpopular decisions at Rangers under the new owners.
Rangers to use data-led approach in transfers
Rangers are set to back Martin with a substantial budget this summer, but the recruitment may not target the players fans want to see signed.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has now told talkSPORT (2 June) that Rangers are set to use data in their recruitment under 49ers Enterprises, sparking a change from their strategy in the past.
“My understanding is that Rangers want to go down a more analytical route, more of a moneyball approach,” he stated.
“That won’t necessarily go down well with Rangers fans. As Dave King rightly said, it’s a very impatient fanbase.
| Russell Martin’s managerial career | Time spent | Win percentage |
| MK Dons | 2019-21 | 37.5 per cent |
| Swansea City | 2021-23 | 36.36 per cent |
| Southampton | 2023-24 | 45.21 per cent |
“Being second is being nowhere as far as football in Glasgow is concerned.
“There will be a more arithmatic approach taken, and trying to take the emotion out of decisions will be a tough challenge.”
Rangers to go against the grain under 49ers Enterprises
Martin being a fairly unpopular appointment among Rangers fans may actually bode well for his upcoming spell in charge, as it sparks a change from the last few appointments.
Michael Beale and Giovanni van Bronckhorst were met with cheers from the Rangers fanbase as they were the fan favourites to be appointed at their times of arrival, but neither worked out well.
Rangers fan sentiment has influenced both player and coach recruitment to the club’s detriment in recent years, as they panicked into decisions and their scattergun approach to transfers was a mess.
Using data, and taking emotion out of their decisions, could mean that some are greeted with frustration initially, but the owners will hope will eventually prove to be the right ones, and if Martin starts well at Ibrox, he will quickly win over a sceptical fanbase as this method could pay off.