EFL chairman ‘very surprised’ at Rangers managerial situation as Steven Gerrard talks begin
Rangers appear to be closing in on appointing Steven Gerrard as Russell Martin’s successor at Ibrox.
Four days have passed since Martin was sacked by Rangers after just four months in charge.
A number of candidates have been linked with the role, but Gerrard is the man Rangers are in talks with.
Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe certainly would not have expected to be on the lookout for a new Rangers boss already.
And the managerial situation at Ibrox has come as a surprise for one high-profile EFL figure.
Russell Martin appointment ‘a disaster’ – Darragh MacAnthony
Martin lasted just 17 games at Rangers, the last being Rangers’ 1-1 draw away at Falkirk last Sunday.
Indeed, Martin will go down as Rangers’ worst manager of all time statistically speaking.
Martin always had his work cut out to win over the Rangers fanbase and never really did so.
And Peterborough United majority owner and chairman Darragh MacAnthony says the whole situation has been bleak.
“It’s been a disaster for Russ,” he said on The Hard Truth podcast. “I’m very surprised.
“I didn’t think it would take this long [for Martin to be sacked]. For whatever reason, it hasn’t fitted from day one.
“He wasn’t a popular hire. They swung and they missed. It was a mistake. It didn’t work out. Rangers are going to remedy that mistake and hire someone else.”
What will be Steven Gerrard’s first Rangers game?
Everything points towards Gerrard being hired by Rangers, but it has been made clear via the press that the Gers will not rush the appointment.
| Steven Gerrard | Rangers |
| Played | 192 |
| Won | 124 |
| Drew | 41 |
| Lost | 27 |
| Scored | 407 |
| Conceded | 139 |
That means it could still be a few days before Gerrard is hired, assuming there is no sort of breakdown in talks between now and then.
The good news is that Rangers are not back in action until 18 October when Dundee United visit Ibrox.
There is then a trip to Brann in the Europa League five days later, before hosting Kilmarnock in the league.
The fixtures come thick and fast between the two international breaks, so it is imperative Gerrard hits the ground running – something Martin simply failed to do.
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