Following the dismissal of Russell Martin on Sunday night after a lackluster 1-1 draw with Falkirk, Rangers Football Club has begun its search for a new manager. The early candidates include familiar faces and respected figures in Scottish football: Steven Gerrard, Sean Dyche, and Derek McInnes.
Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard remains a popular figure among Rangers fans, having led the club to their 55th league title in 2021, preventing Celtic from achieving a historic 10th consecutive title. Despite his hero status at Ibrox, his managerial stints at Aston Villa and Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq have been less successful. While some question his tactical abilities, his ability to deliver the Premiership title still resonates with fans. Gerrard managed Rangers for 192 matches, winning 124, drawing 41, and losing 27. Under his leadership, Rangers scored 2.12 goals per match and conceded 0.72. He also guided the Gers to the knockout rounds of the Europa League twice.
Derek McInnes
Derek McInnes, currently managing Heart of Midlothian, is another strong contender. The former Rangers midfielder has consistently been linked with the Ibrox job. McInnes rejected the chance to manage Rangers in 2017. However, he now leads the Scottish Premiership with Hearts, who are currently 11 points ahead of Rangers after only seven games, including a 2-0 victory at Ibrox in September. McInnes' managerial record includes leading Kilmarnock to a fourth-place finish in the Premiership in the 2023-24 season, their highest since 2018-19, and qualifying for the UEFA Europa League. He was also named SFWA Manager of the Year for 2024. McInnes has a win percentage of 44.23% across his managerial career. He has managed 779 games, with 358 wins and 251 losses.
Sean Dyche
Sean Dyche, the former Everton manager, is also in the frame. Dyche has a connection to Rangers through the club's sporting director, Kevin Thelwell, who previously worked with him at Everton. Dyche was dismissed by Everton in January 2025. Dyche has a reputation for building pragmatic, organized teams. He spent 10 years as manager of Burnley, winning two promotions from the Championship and securing a seventh-place Premier League finish to qualify for Europe. Dyche has managed 557 games, with 195 wins and 208 losses. His career win percentage is 34.57%.
Other names mentioned in connection with the Rangers job include Kevin Muscat, currently the bookmakers' favorite, Danny Rohl, and Barry Ferguson.
The Rangers board will be looking for a manager who can quickly turn around the team's fortunes and close the gap on their rivals. The new manager will also need to connect with the Rangers supporters, who have high expectations and a strong desire for success. The appointment is crucial for the club's future, and the board will need to carefully consider all the options before making a final decision.
