Ex-Aston Villa manager in running to replace Russell Martin at Rangers amid Ibrox sack news
Rangers could be in line to replace Russell Martin with a familiar face to Aston Villa fans.
Villa most recently drew 0-0 with Everton, maintaining their poor run of form to start the season under Unai Emery.
This has seen pressure build on Emery and his future with Villa, although the sack feels hugely unlikely given how much credit he has in the bank at Villa Park.
The same can’t be said about Martin at Ibrox, having had a terrible start to life with the Scottish Premiership giants.
As a result, the Rangers hierarchy are seemingly on the lookout for a new head coach, with a former B6 boss potentially in the pipeline.
Rangers could now swoop for Steven Gerrard
It will come as no surprise to fans in Govan or in the Midlands that Gerrard has once again been linked with a return to Glasgow.
This frequently saw ex-Villa boss Gerrard enter the running at Rangers to become manager, before both Barry Ferguson and Martin were selected ahead of him.
The latter has proven to be a poor appointment already after failing to win in the league so far this campaign, despite having played five games.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| 02/08/25 | Motherwell (A) | 1-1 (D) |
| 09/08/25 | Dundee (H) | 1-1 (D) |
| 24/08/25 | St Mirren (A) | 1-1 (D) |
| 31/08/25 | Celtic (H) | 0-0 (D) |
| 13/08/25 | Hearts (H) | 0-2 (L) |
This has seen Derek Ferguson tell Ibrox News that fans have made their mind up on the Englishman, something which could result in the Rangers owners pulling the sack trigger.
With that being said, Gerrard has now been linked with the Light Blues again, entering the odds as second favourite at 7/2 with BetVictor on 16 September.
This sees the former midfielder sit narrowly behind Sean Dyche at 3/1, while Danny Rohl comes in at 3/1 and Gary O’Neil is rated at a 9/2 chance to take over at Ibrox.
Aston Villa fans have little loved lost for Steven Gerrard
There is no getting away from how positive things have been at Villa Park ever since the Liverpool legend was sacked by Nassef Sawiris and Co.
After a 3-0 defeat to Fulham, enough was enough as the fans had completely given up on Gerrard after just months in the job.
This can’t come as a surprise based on his treatment of key players like Tyrone Mings while also suggesting that Chelsea should be “wiping the floor” with Villa in an interview.
Adding terrible results and performances into this mix, and you have one of the worst managerial stints in the history of the claret and blue outfits.
Regardless of this, the 45-year-old still did an excellent job in his spell with Rangers, something which could serve him well should he return in the coming weeks or months.
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