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...
9. Gary O'Neil - 33/1
The 42-year-old has been out of work since being sacked by Wolves in December 2024 following a 15-month reign with the club in the Premier League relegation zone. Has has also managed Bournemouth and recently spoke about his desire to return to the dugout. | Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
10. Michael Carrick - 33/1
Sacked by Middlesbrough after almost three years in charge following a 10th placed finish last season, Carrick is currently without a club. Was previously on the coaching staff at Manchester United - the club where he spent most of his playing career - including a brief stint as caretaker manager prior to the appointment of Ralf Rangnick in December 2021. | George Wood/Getty Images
11. Marco Rose - 50/1
The German was sacked by RB Leipzig in March after underperforming in the Bundesliga and Champions League. Has also previously managed Dortmund, Borussia Monchengladbach and RB Salzburg, winning back-to-back Austrian league titles with the latter. | Getty Images
12. Gareth Southgate - 50/1
The former England boss hasn't worked in club management since May 2009, when he oversaw Middlesbrough’s relegation from the Premier League. Stepped down as England boss in July 2024 after defeat in the Euros final to Spain and has been linked with Manchester United. Could he be tempted by the challenge on offer at Rangers? | ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images