Ex-Gateshead manager Mike Williamson has landed a new role in the Scottish Premiership
Gateshead manager Mike Williamson
Former Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson has been appointed as Rangers' new first-team coach.
The announcement comes after Russell Martin was named as the Gers' new manager. The former Southampton boss has moved quickly to bring in his own backroom staff at Ibrox.
Williamson has joined the club as first-team coach, while goalkeeping coach Salvatore Bibbo will also join Martin’s staff.
For Williamson, it is a return to the training ground four months after he was sacked as Carlisle United manager.
The 41-year-old began his coaching career at Gateshead, first as player-coach and then taking the reins as manager. He led the Tynesiders to National League North promotion in 2022 and the FA Trophy Final at Wembley in 2023, playing a fantastic brand of attacking football.
He now links up with former Wycombe Wanderers team-mate Martin, whose possession-based playing style is very similar to what Williamson adopted at Gateshead.
Williamson’s career saw him make over 400 senior appearances, including 150 with Premier League side Newcastle United. Stepping into management with Gateshead, Williamson has also been head coach at MK Dons and most recently Carlisle United.
Martin said: “I am delighted to have Mike and Sal join my team ahead of the new season.
“I played with Mike at Wycombe Wanderers so we go back a long way, and I know the qualities he can bring to this group. As a player he played at the very top level and is an experienced coach having been a manager himself."
Williamson joined Newcastle from Portsmouth in January 2010 and went on to make 150 appearances, lifting the Championship and playing in the Premier League, before departing for Wolves in January 2016.
As a manager, his success at Gateshead saw him headhunted by a number of Football League clubs and he eventually joined MK Dons in October 2023. He Martin - a former MK Dons boss himself - is believed to have recommended Williamson to the board.
Williamson was an instant success, leading them to the League Two play-offs during his first seven months in charge, only for their promotion bid to crash after heavy 8-1 aggregate defeat against Crawley Town.
Williamson was named as Carlisle United manager in September last year but his spell at Brunton Park lasted just under five months as the Cumbrians headed towards relegation into the National League.
Rangers Sporting Director Kevin Thelwell said: “I would like to welcome both Mike and Sal to Rangers. They are both experienced coaches who will bring a lot of knowledge to the club.
“Their addition strengthens Russell Martin’s coaching team and reflects our continued commitment to building the best environment capable of delivering success on and off the pitch.”