Russell Martin sack to raise difficult questions after Rangers summer mess

Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell Can’t Keep Defending Russell Martin After Rangers’ Defeat to Sturm Graz

Rangers’ Europa League hopes suffered another blow on 2 October after a disappointing loss to Sturm Graz at the Merkur Arena, leaving them without a single point after two group-stage games.

Russell Martin’s time in charge at Ibrox appears increasingly untenable. With just five wins from 16 matches, his tenure has been far from convincing — and the calls for change are growing louder.

His appointment is now widely viewed as a misstep, and those at the top of the club’s hierarchy, including chairman Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell, must face scrutiny for their roles in this faltering project.

Martin’s Appointment Highlights Rangers’ Flawed Hiring Process

According to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, Martin wasn’t the board’s first-choice candidate.

Speaking on 3 October, Crook revealed that the club initially pursued former manager Steven Gerrard, who chose to remain in Bahrain, and even held ambitious discussions about bringing in José Mourinho.

The final decision to appoint Martin came late in the summer, with player recruitment already well underway — an indication of poor planning and internal disarray.

Crook stated:
“Martin wasn’t top of their wanted list. They tried for Gerrard, but he decided he was quite happy where he was in Bahrain. There were some fanciful talks about Mourinho at one stage.

The whole summer was a bit of a mess. They left it very late to actually hire Martin, and obviously, the recruitment was well underway by then.

My argument is if you end up sacking a manager so early in his tenure, then questions need to be asked of the person who appointed him in the first place.”

Thelwell Under Pressure as Martin Struggles

Kevin Thelwell, who arrived as sporting director over the summer, is also under the spotlight.

His influence on both Martin’s appointment and the club’s recent recruitment strategy has raised concerns among fans and pundits alike.

Outside of Djeidi Gassama, many of the summer signings have failed to meet expectations, further highlighting the club’s missteps.

Support for Martin within the fanbase has all but evaporated. Patience has worn thin in G51, and the defeat in Austria may well have been the final straw.

American owner Andrew Cavenagh and the board can no longer ignore the growing discontent.

If Rangers want to salvage their season, decisive action is required. Continuing with Martin could further derail their campaign, and a swift change in leadership may be the only way forward.