Russell Martin set for break after Rangers devastation, Championship return on cards
Russell Martin may not look back fondly on his experience at Rangers after being sacked on Sunday.
The Scottish manager was under extreme pressure at the Gers for several weeks, and the camel’s back broke after dropping points against Falkirk in the William Hill Premiership on 5 October.
Martin was subject to ridicule and vitriol at Ibrox, with fans protesting for a change in the Light Blues’ dugout after a poor start to the season.
The former Southampton boss had to leave in a private car with a police escort after drawing 1-1 against Falkirk, and he may want to think hard about his next destination before returning to management.
Russell Martin to hope for decent Championship job after Rangers sack
Martin may want to take some time off after being subject to abuse at the Gers, Don Goodman says.
The Sky Sports pundit and former West Brom forward feels sorry for the way the Scottish manager’s tenure transpired at Ibrox.
Goodman believes the 39-year-old head coach will now be hoping for a decent job in the EFL Championship, with a move to a League One or Two club seemingly not lucrative enough.
Speaking to Football League World on 8 October, he said: “I’m absolutely devastated and gutted for Martin because the personal abuse crossed the line by a long, long way that he had to subject up there. So, I feel for him, I would imagine he would like a break and a rest for a little while before jumping back in.”
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Goodman added: “Then it would be a case of him hoping to get an opportunity at a decent Championship club. I wouldn’t imagine he’d want to drop down to League One or Two, unless there was some kind of serious project like Wrexham or a Birmingham City of the last few seasons.”
Considering Martin’s failures at Ibrox, fans in G51 would be surprised to see him return to a top club anytime soon.
Russell Martin record after Ibrox disaster
Martin’s sacking at Ibrox seemed inevitable for a long time, and it came later than most expected.
The Scottish manager built a reputation for being a progressive manager, with an attractive style of play during his time at MK Dons and Swansea City, which got him a move to Southampton and then Rangers.
| Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| 17 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
While Martin subsequently led the Saints to Premier League promotion, he won just one game in the English top flight out of 16 before being sacked.
The Scotsman’s struggles at St Mary’s Stadium should have been an indication that he may not have been the right option for the Gers, and the last few months proved that.
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