Fabrizio Romano drops underwhelming update, Baby Rodge returns | OneFootball

They’ve gone from Jose Mourinho to Marco Rose, Steven Gerrard to Baby Ancelotti and then ended up with Russell Martin. So we welcome yet another challenger for Brendan…

Baby Rodge

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano earlier today reported on the news saying:

(the)”Rangers are closing in on the appointment of Russell Martin as new head coach.Former Southampton manager has already accepted the project, ready for new chapter,” Fabrizio Romano

Is this an excuse to bring back Baby Rodge for his thoughts on this? Why not indeed!

Since news broke of theRangers takeover the delusional Ibrox fan base have been linking the vacant manager’s job to some of the biggest names in football, but in the end they watched their side appoint former Ibrox and Scotland defender Russell Martin as their new boss.

19/04/2021. Jose Mourinho arriving back at his home in London after being sacked as manager of Tottenham Hotspur

They will be feeling rather underwhelmed after dreaming about the likes of Jose Mourinho, Marco Rose, Steven Gerrard and Carlo Ancelotti’s boy. Some even cheekily suggested Ange Postecoglou! only to see the the man whose last gig was leaving Southampton at the bottom of the EPL standings brought in as their new… messiah!

However Celtic must still respect this next challenge as it would be foolish to write anyone off before they’ve shown their ability, and hopefully as has always been the case, Brendan Rodgers is up to the task of seeing off yet another rival from Ibrox whose sole objective will be to topple Celtic.

theRangers manager Philippe Clement walks off the pitch with his players at full-time. Final score Aberdeen 2 Rangers 1. Scottish Premiership, 30 October2024 Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Brendan will be well up for the task of facing yet another Ibrox challenger

I’m confident Brendan will do as he always does and shrug off any attempt of a challenge from his opposite number across the road. After all he’s already seen off the likes of Mark Warburton, Pedro Caixinha, Michael Beale and Philippe Clement so I’m sure he would have been relishing the prospect of taking on any newly appointed manager at Ibrox, regardless who they ended up with.

Jose Mourinho and Brendan Rodgers. Photo: Michael Regan/NMC Pool

So who is Russell Martin?

Russell Martin, a 39-year-old Scottish manager, has built a managerial career characterised by a commitment to possession-based football and a focus on long-term development. As of June 2025, he is poised to become the next manager of theRangers, marking his fourth managerial appointment following tenures at Milton Keynes Dons, Swansea City, and Southampton.

Russell Martin’s managerial record, is rather underwhelming. Highlights include leading Southampton to a club-record 25-game unbeaten run from September 2023 to February 2024 and securing promotion to the Premier League via a play-off victory over Leeds United in May 2024. He was sacked in December 2024 after a poor run in the Premier League, with only one win in 16 matches.

Russell Martin, Manager of Southampton (L), and Matt Gill, Assistant Manager of Southampton look on during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at St Mary’s Stadium on December 15, 2024 (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Martin is renowned for his unwavering commitment to a possession-based style of play, emphasising courage and aggression both on and off the ball. His teams are known for their structured build-up play and maintaining control of the game through ball possession. This philosophy has been consistent throughout his managerial career, even when facing challenges in terms of results.

Russell Martin at Milton Keynes Dons (2019–2021)

Tenure: November 2019 – July 2021 Matches Managed: 80 Record: 30 Wins, 19 Draws, 31 LossesWin Percentage: 37.5% Goals For / Against: 107 / 105 Goal Difference: +2

Russell Martin at Swansea City (2021–2023)

Tenure: August 2021 – June 2023 Matches Managed: 99 Record: 36 Wins, 27 Draws, 36 LossesWin Percentage: 36.36% Goals For / Against: 139 / 143 Goal Difference: −4

Russell Martin, Manager of Southampton reacts on the touchline during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at St Mary’s Stadium on December 15, 2024. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Russell Martin at Southampton (2023–2024)

Tenure: June 2023 – December 2024 Matches Managed: 72 Record: 33 Wins, 14 Draws, 25 Losses Win Percentage: 45.83% Goals For / Against: 120 / 108 Goal Difference: +12

Russell Martin, Manager of Southampton, reacts during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at St Mary’s Stadium on December 15, 2024. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Russell Martin – Career Totals (as of December 2024)

Total Matches Managed: 251 Wins: 99 Draws: 60 Losses: 92 Win Percentage: 39.44% Goals For / Against: 366 / 356 Goal Difference: +10

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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