Rangers sacked Russell Martin after 123 days in charge in the wake of the angry scenes which followed 1-1 draw with Falkirk on Sunday.
The 39-year-old had been enduring significant animosity from Rangers supporters after overseeing the club’s worst start to a league season in 47 years as well as exiting the Champions League with a 9-1 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge and losing his first two matches in the Europa League to Genk and Sturm Graz.
It call came to a head at Falkirk Stadium as supporters surrounded the team bus with Martin given a police escort to his car after escaping via a side entrance.
Martin’s tenure is the shortest of any Rangers manager in history and leaves question marks against the club’s new American owners for making the wrong appointment in the first place.
The onus is now on the Ibrox power brokers - namely chairman Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises - to ensure that the correct head coach is installed second time around if the club are to have any hope of rescuing their season. CEO Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell will have key roles to play in the search for Martin’s successor, but they are also under scrutiny from supporters.
Who is likely to be the next man in the Rangers dugout? Here are who bookmakers BetVictor have installed as the early favourites for the hotseat...
5. Sean Dyche - 11/4
The former Burnley boss has previously worked alongside Rangers' current sporting director Kevin Thelwell at Everton and is currently without a club after being sacked by the Toffees in January. | Getty Images
6. Derek McInnes - 7/2
Was close to becoming Rangers manager back in 2017, but it never materialised. Has a strong reputation in Scottish football which has only been enhanced by the start he has made to his Hearts tenure, guiding them to the top of the Premiership table, which included a 2-0 win at Ibrox last month. | SNS Group
7. Steven Davis - 20/1
The former Rangers midfielder is highly-regarded among fans for his contribution to the club over two playing spells. Had a brief taste of the Ibrox hot seat as caretaker manager following the sacking of Michael Beale in October 2023. Currently working alongside Michael O'Neill on Northern Ireland's coaching staff. | ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images
8. Barry Ferguson - 25/1
The former Rangers captain was brought back as interim head coach last season following the sacking of Philippe Clement but missed out on landing the job permanently. Led the club to Europa League quarter-finals and a first league victory at Celtic Park in five years but also oversaw some poor results. | Barry Ferguson - 25/1