Rousseau

I'm pleased someone watched it. Whether it's a success or not, I don't know, but I do think we need someone that can implement a style of play, which I think he can.

Who is Rangers frontrunner Martin & what might he bring? "He's an all-round lovely person and he's very talented. He will be a manager one day because he's just the right person to be a manager." Those kind and prescient words came from Delia Smith when Russell Martin parted ways with Norwich City in the summer of 2018. Now the 39-year-old is looking for his fourth post as head coach and is reported to be the front-runner for the Rangers job as the club's new American owners begin their reign. One win in 16 and sacked before Christmas. It certainly doesn't look great, but there's more to Martin than a brief Premier League spell with Southampton last season. His possession-based style took Southampton up via the play-offs a year ago - having been honed at MK Dons and Swansea City - and the former Scotland defender refused to compromise on his principles. "To get to the Premier League and then change would be illogical," he said after a narrow loss at Manchester City in October. "I cannot stand on the sidelines watching something I don't feel connected with or love. I don't see the point in that." Pep Guardiola was full of praise for the visitors' bravery on the ball that day, going on to suggest he could learn from Martin's approach. The methodology ultimately backfired with a squad lacking in Premier League experience and Martin was jettisoned. But would it work at Rangers, who are expected to dominate against most domestic opposition? 'He has clear identity and understands Rangers' Under Martin, MK Dons set a British record with a goal scored from a 56-pass move in March 2021. In that same season, only Manchester City and Barcelona had a higher average possession percentage in Europe than the League One side. It was the same at Swansea, lots of plaudits for the system but no prizes, making strides while winning less than 38% of his games at both clubs. Former Ibrox forward Steven Naismith, who played with Martin for Scotland and Norwich City, reckons Rangers would flourish with such an approach. "He's got a clear style, a clear identity and that, for me, is massive," the former Ibrox forward told BBC Sport Scotland. "Rangers need someone who can understand what they want and can implement it. Russell has done that now at three clubs. "Nine times out of 10 in Scotland, Rangers will play against teams sitting in, and it's about breaking them down. I think the philosophy of Russell is all about that. "He wants his team to have lots of possession, push the opposition deep and then hurt them." Martin has previous experience of Ibrox, having been on loan at Rangers for the second half of an underwhelming 2017-18 campaign. He made 17 appearances, scoring once, as his playing career began to wind down. "If you don't understand the league, if you don't understand the club, that part can get overlooked and it can cause you big problems," said Naismith. "Russell has experienced it, although it was brief. "He understands the demand and he was probably at the club at a time when the quality of what was on offer wasn't great, so he's seen how tough it can be." Vegan diet, herbal remedies & cleaning toilets Martin was 32 when he made the switch to Ibrox and did not add to his 29 Scotland caps, the first of which came as a late substitute in a 3-1 win over Wales in 2011. That international debut came under Craig Levein, while Martin was a regular pick for Gordon Strachan, playing in the home and away wins against Croatia in 2013. The Brighton-born central defender enjoyed his peak years at Carrow Road, making more than 300 appearances for Norwich. There, he achieved back-to-back promotions from League One with Paul Lambert in charge. He was captain when they returned to the Premier League in 2015. Martin also captained previous clubs Wycombe Wanderers and Peterborough United and his leadership qualities also impressed Naismith. "Communication is one of his strongest points," added the ex-Hearts boss. "He understands the highs and lows and what it takes to get the best out of a player." Former Swansea City striker Lee Trundle echoed those sentiments, telling BBC Sport Scotland that man-management is one of Martin's main strengths. "Everyone at Swansea loved playing for him. He's honest with his players, he tells them what he needs," he said. "He's very clever. I don't think he has a plan A or a plan B, it's just the way he sees football. He thinks that is how the game should be played and he sticks with it." Anyone who saw Martin play can attest to his steely competitiveness. A gentle Sussex accent and impressive articulacy belie a turbulent upbringing, with his late father's violence and gambling leading to upheaval. Martin has spoken candidly of a complex relationship with his Scottish dad, who vacillated between doting and controlling and pushed him and his brothers hard as their first football coach. "My whole world revolved around proving him wrong and making him proud," he told The Times in November 2023. He cleaned toilets before school and worked night shifts in a supermarket prior to his move into the professional ranks at the relatively late age of 18. He also had to battle ulcerative colitis during his career, changing to a vegan diet to combat inflammation after experiments with acupuncture and Chinese herbal remedies. Martin has never been afraid to go his own way. Could it be the right way for Rangers? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4g2x2knwg9o

Miovski is looking to leave Girona. I'd enquire.

He spoke about that on The Rest is Football podcast, iirc.

@Bluedell keeps getting my hopes up then pulling the carpet from under me...

We're going to lead the xG table! Whoop!

It's 15:00, Rangers. 'Mon...

I mean, he technically is more qualified than Walter at that time. It doesn't mean he'll be a success, but I'm more comfortable appointing someone with a track record than one without. Love you...

More than Ancelotti...

YOU WANTED DAVID HEALY!!

Why not both?

To clarify: I hope they ignore the troglodytes in our support.

I only suggested they'd consider it. It is part of the business decision. They're not going to appoint someone because that's what the fans want, if it didn't align with their aims. If it comes down to a couple of candidates and one is viewed overwhelmingly negatively by a majority of fans (I'm not sure if Martin is viewed negatively by the majority, but there's certainly a vocal minority), then that surely will influence their decision a little?

I think they'd consider it, yes. But if they thought it brought success, then they'd push through. If it does bring success, the fans would come around.

I know what you're doing...

I don't think it matters who has the armband.

I think he's here until he retires. I don't have a problem with that.

I never attend. I usually proxy.

It seems like it's down to Ancelotti and Martin. I think you know what you get with Martin, good and bad, which I think would be effective against the bread and butter. Ancelotti is a complete unknown. There's maybe a bigger upside with Ancelotti, but it's a gamble. To be fair, it would be a brave decision to go against the fans' overriding negative feelings towards Martin, which could push the decision towards Ancelotti on its own.

Thank you. I would disagree, and that's fine.

Thelwell: “[The search for a new manager] has been progressing well, and the club and I look forward to bringing that to a conclusion in the coming days."

Fans have already made up their mind, which is fair enough. I just wish they could articulate their reasons, rather than going on vibes.

KEVIN THELWELL has today begun his role as Sporting Director as the summer of change here at Rangers moves up a gear. Thelwell, 51, was at the Rangers Training Centre this morning for the first time, following the end of a successful tenure with Premier League side Everton. He arrives just 72 hours after the club’s majority ownership changed hands to a consortium of investors led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises. Speaking on his first day, Thelwell said: “It’s a great honour to be joining Rangers, particularly at such an exciting moment in the club’s history. “While there has been significant work going on in the background prior to my arrival, that naturally accelerates from today, and top of the priority list will be the appointment of a new Head Coach for our men’s first-team. “That search has been progressing well, and the club and I look forward to bringing that to a conclusion in the coming days. "This is a new chapter for Rangers, and while we recognise success won’t come easy, our goal is clear: we need to win. “My focus is on delivering that, with discipline and ambition. We’ll give everything to move this club forward as quickly and sustainably as we can.” It can also be confirmed that Nils Koppen will be leaving his role as Technical Director. Nils has played an important part in reshaping the club’s football operations over the past 18 months. He will leave with thanks from the club for his contribution and professionalism, and best wishes for the future. To support a smooth handover, Koppen is currently working closely with Thelwell and Dan Purdy, who has joined Rangers as the new Technical Director. Purdy arrives from Everton, where he has been part of the football department since 2014. He has held a variety of roles across scouting and analysis, most recently serving as Head of Recruitment. He will now lead on all aspects of our recruitment and talent identification pathway, spanning the men’s, women’s, and academy programmes. https://www.rangers.co.uk/article/kevin-thelwell-begins-role-as-sporting-director/3o0nLYFFL8KYgLCCZE5AZV