AliousLast month, Glasgow Rangers made a significant move by parting ways with Belgian head coach Philippe Clement following a series of underwhelming performances. Clement, who previously managed Club Brugge, was dismissed after a 2-0 loss to St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership, though his exit seemed inevitable even earlier, particularly after a shock 1-0 defeat to second-tier Queen’s Park in the SFA Cup. At the time of his departure, Rangers were trailing Celtic by 13 points in the league and had already been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions, making the decision relatively straightforward for the club’s board.
Rather than immediately appointing a permanent replacement, the club opted to install Barry Ferguson as interim manager for the remainder of the season. This delay in naming a long-term successor may be linked to an impending change in ownership. The takeover, reportedly agreed in principle, involves key figures such as Paraag Marathe, president of 49ers Enterprises, and Andrew Cavenagh, executive chairman of ParetoHealth. With new leadership on the horizon, the club appears to be holding off on a permanent managerial appointment until the summer.
Rangers Eyeing Rafa Benítez for New Era
According to the *Daily Record*, the incoming Rangers ownership group is considering Rafa Benítez as a potential candidate to take charge ahead of the 2025/26 season. The Spanish coach, best known for leading Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005, has been identified as a possible replacement for Ferguson. While Benítez is reportedly one of several names on the shortlist, no official contact has been made. Journalist Scott Burns suggested on *Hotline Live* that while Benítez’s name has been floated within Rangers circles, his camp has yet to confirm any discussions.
This suggests that the club is still in the early stages of its recruitment process, giving them ample time to evaluate other options before making a final decision.
Why Rangers Should Look Beyond Benítez
Despite his impressive résumé, Benítez may not be the best fit for Rangers at this stage. The club needs a manager who can implement a dominant, attacking style of play to challenge Celtic and achieve sustained domestic success. While Benítez boasts experience with elite clubs such as Real Madrid and Liverpool, his recent track record raises concerns. His last league title came in 2004 with Valencia, and his most recent domestic cup triumph was with Napoli in 2012.
Since taking over at Newcastle in 2016, Benítez has struggled to achieve high points-per-game averages across his various managerial stints, including spells at Dalian Professional, Everton, and Celta Vigo. His pragmatic, often defensive approach may not align with Rangers’ need for an aggressive, front-footed style of play that ensures dominance in Scottish football.
Instead of turning to Benítez, Rangers should consider a more progressive managerial option—such as Russell Martin.
Russell Martin: A Better Fit for Rangers
As reported by *Football Insider*, Martin is among the names on Rangers’ shortlist, and he presents an attractive option for several reasons. The former Scotland international is currently available after parting ways with Southampton, meaning Rangers would not have to pay compensation to secure his services.
Martin, who had a brief playing stint at Rangers in 2018, is known for his attacking, possession-based approach. His managerial career began impressively at MK Dons, where he implemented a progressive, front-footed style of play. He continued this philosophy at Swansea before leading Southampton to promotion to the Premier League in 2023.
Although his time in the top flight was cut short, Martin earned praise for his tactical approach. Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola remarked that he would “learn a lot” from Martin’s methods, while Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described him as a “hugely successful” coach whose teams are a “joy to watch.”
Martin typically employs an attacking 4-3-3 formation and has demonstrated the ability to create fluid, attacking teams when given the right players. His Southampton side ranked among the most progressive teams in the Championship last season, earning more points per game than any Benítez-led team since 2016.
While Martin struggled in the Premier League due to a lack of top-tier talent, Rangers operate in an environment where they are expected to dominate games. His aggressive, attacking approach would align well with the club’s ambitions, making him an ideal candidate to lead them forward.
The 49ers Must Prioritize Martin Over Benítez
Given Benítez’s conservative tactical approach and declining managerial record, Rangers would be better served by a manager who can implement a dynamic, attacking system suited to their ambitions. Martin’s style of play, coupled with his proven ability to develop teams and earn promotion, makes him a strong candidate for the role.
With a new ownership group set to take control, Rangers have a crucial decision ahead. Instead of looking to the past with Benítez, they should focus on the future—and Russell Martin could be the perfect figure to lead the club into a new era.
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