The Ibrox club have finally confirmed Philippe Clement’s permanent successor after months of uncertainty
Rangers have named Russell Martin as their new head coach - with the former Southampton and Swansea City boss signing a three-year contract to mark the start of a fresh era at Ibrox.
It was revealed by the Rangers Review on Wednesday evening that ex-Scotland international Martin had won the race to succeed Philippe Clement in the dugout this summer after months of uncertainty over who would land the position.
A US-based consortium, led by Andrew Cavenagh and the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers, completed a multi-million pound takeover of the Govan club last week and Martin emerged as the leading candidate from a lengthy recruitment process that also included former Real Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti and Liverpool hero Steven Gerrard.
The former Scotland defender lost his job at St Mary's in December, after just one win from 16 in the Premier League. He had taken Southampton up to the English top flight via the Championship play-offs in the previous campaign.
However, after his side struggled with the step up to the Premier League, Martin attracted criticism for sticking with a possession-based approach before losing his job. Before that, he had spells in charge at MK Dons and Swansea City.
Martin's role is head coach rather than manager, a nod to Rangers' new set up with former sporting director Kevin Thelwell in post alongside his former Everton colleague, Dan Purdy, as technical director.
Rangers finished last season without a trophy and were runners-up to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership for the fourth successive year.
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Philippe Clement was sacked in February before former captain Barry Ferguson took over as interim boss until the end of the season, as Rangers finished 17 points off the pace.
Martin, who played 29 times for Scotland and 17 times for Rangers during a loan spell in 2018, now has the task of making the club more competitive amid a busy summer.
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