Expert: 'Outstanding' option emerges to replace Russell Martin at Rangers, it's not Steven Gerrard

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(Credit: Imago, Getty Images) Tue 7 October 2025 11:00, UK Updated Tue 7 October 2025 11:52, UK Russell Martin has been sacked by Rangers following a disastrous start to the season and the search for his replacement is already underway.Rangers’ 1-1 draw with Falkirk was the last straw for the board, who finally listened to the constant demands from the fans at Ibrox and dismissed the 39-year-old.Martin managed just one league win from their first seven games of the season, seeing the club fall to eighth place, nine points behind Celtic and 11 behind Hearts.As a result, the search for a new manager is well underway as Football Insider revealed on 21 September that Rangers had started assessing alternatives to Martin.Football Insider revealed on 6 October that Rangers have a four-man shortlist to replace Martin, with Steven Gerrard, Danny Rohl, Kevin Muscat and Sean Dyche named.Credit: ImagoSean Dyche is an ‘outstanding’ candidate for RangersDespite ongoing speculation about different targets, Dyche has emerged among the leading candidates and already has a relationship with Kevin Thelwell from his time at Everton.That is according to former Man United and Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Dyche would be an “outstanding” option if he lands the job at Ibrox. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Brown told Football Insider in February that Dyche would hold talks with Rangers about replacing Philippe Clement, before Martin landed the job in the summer.“Dyche is going to be on Rangers’ list of contenders,” he has now told Football Insider.“He’s already got a relationship with the sporting director there, so that might give him the edge over some of their other targets who they’ve been looking at.“I think Dyche would be outstanding for them, and he’s exactly the type of manager they need.“Whether they know that or not, that’s where there’s a bit of uncertainty, because a lot of clubs prioritise playing attractive football over getting results at the moment.Credit: Imago“This squad isn’t good enough to play this all singing all dancing football, so they’ve got to get some organisation about their way of playing.“That’s what Dyche would bring, he gets the best out of his players and gets results on the pitch, that’s not something Martin ever managed there.“I think he would be the smart decision, maybe not the most popular one when there’s been talk about Gerrard, but probably the best in terms of what he would do for the team.”Meanwhile, Conor Coady has backed Dyche to take over at Rangers and insisted he would “100 per cent” get them back to winning ways at Ibrox.Rangers next manager timeline revealedFootball Insider revealed on 6 October that Rangers will take their time to hire Martin’s replacement and are keen not to rush into an immediate decision.Rangers are now on the search for their fourth manager of 2025, in what has been a turbulent nine months for the club amid growing frustration amongst the fans.However, 49ers Enterprises and the hierarchy at Ibrox are determined not to make another mistake after the spectacular failure of Martin’s short spell.Credit: Getty ImagesTheir search for a new boss has not come as a shock, as Football Insider revealed on 21 September that Rangers had started assessing alternatives to Martin.Gerrard is believed to be Rangers’ leading candidate, but with the likes of Dyche and Rohl also interested in the role, they have got a big decision to make.For more Rangers and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.