# Rangers Set to Sack Russell Martin After Long Deliberation – Nuno Espírito Santo Emerges as Surprise Favorite
In a seismic shift at Ibrox, Rangers Football Club is reportedly on the verge of sacking manager Russell Martin after prolonged internal deliberations amid a catastrophic start to the season. The 39-year-old Englishman, who took over from Philippe Clement in June, has overseen a winless run in the Scottish Premiership, leaving the Gers in 10th place following five games without a victory. This dire form follows a 9-1 aggregate humiliation to Club Brugge in Champions League qualifying and a 2-0 home defeat to Hearts on September 13, which saw fans chant “sacked in the morning” and exit the stadium en masse. Pundit Kris Boyd has declared there’s “no way back” for Martin, while club legends and supporters’ groups demand immediate action.
Martin’s possession-based style has clashed with Rangers’ high-expectation environment, resulting in tactical disarray and defensive frailties. After four draws and now a loss, the board – influenced by new American owners 49ers Enterprises – initially backed the ex-Southampton boss. However, sources indicate a tipping point after the Hearts debacle, with a decision expected by month’s end. A failure to beat Hibernian in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final this weekend could accelerate his exit, despite a potential £600,000-£700,000 compensation payout. Fan advisory boards have reiterated calls for dismissal, citing plummeting morale and attendance risks.
This development coincides with Nuno Espírito Santo’s recent sacking by Nottingham Forest, where the Portuguese coach was axed on September 9 due to a public fallout with owner Evangelos Marinakis over transfer frustrations, despite guiding the club to Europa League qualification last season. Now unattached, Nuno has emerged as the surprise frontrunner for the Rangers job, with insiders revealing positive talks between his representatives and Ibrox hierarchy. The 51-year-old’s pragmatic approach, honed at Wolves (where he won promotion and reached the Europa League quarter-finals) and Tottenham, contrasts sharply with Martin’s experimental tactics. Fans, craving stability and results to challenge Celtic, see Nuno as a bold, experienced choice to restore glory. “He’s the pragmatic winner Rangers need,” one source noted.
As Rangers teeter on the brink, appointing Nuno could spark a revival. Martin’s fate seems sealed, but the board’s final call looms large. The Gers’ season demands decisive change.
About the Author
