Glasgow Rangers have just under two weeks to find a new manager to lead the Ibrox giants out in their next Scottish Premiership match after the international break.
The powers that be at Ibrox made the decision to part ways with Russell Martin on Sunday night, after a fifth draw in seven league games, and it was a decision that is hard to argue against.
Five wins in 17 matches in charge of the club in all competitions was not a record that the board could stand behind and justify to provide the head coach with more time, which is why they are now in a position where they need to replace Martin.
Rangers identify Championship manager as a target
It will be interesting to see who the likes of Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell settle on, as they are reportedly keen on bringing in an English manager.
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According to the Scottish Daily Express, Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards has emerged as a contender for the job, as Rangers are considering a move for the English coach.
The former Luton and Watford tactician only joined Boro in the summer, but the Light Blues are looking at him as a potential option to replace Martin.
Scottish Daily Express does not reveal how serious their interest is in the Championship gaffer, though, and other managers have been linked with the job.
Sean Dyche, who has been out of work since being sacked by Everton in January, is reportedly interested in joining Rangers, but Edwards would be an even better appointment.
Why Rob Edwards would be better than Sean Dyche for Rangers
One potential reason not to appoint Dyche is that he has not managed a team that has been expected to compete at the top end of a league table since the 2015/16 campaign with Burnley in the Championship.
He has finished 10th or lower in eight of his last nine seasons as a manager, with seventh being the highest finish in those nine years, per Transfermarkt, which means that it may be difficult to adjust to the expectations at Ibrox.
Edwards, however, won the League Two title with Forest Green Rovers in the 2021/22 campaign, won the play-offs in the Championship with Luton Town in the 2022/23 season, and is currently second in the Championship with Middlesbrough.
The English tactician, who has played a 3-4-3 system with Boro (Transfermarkt), has won five and lost one of his first nine league matches in charge of his current club, which is in stark contrast to Martin’s dismal form for Rangers in the Premiership.
xGA
7.2
1st
Goals against
6
1st
Goals against per 90
0.67
1st
Non-penalty xGA
7.2
3rd
Shots on target against
17
1st
Clean sheets
4
2nd
As you can see in the table above, his Middlesbrough side have been one of the standout teams, if not the standout team, from a defensive perspective in the Championship this season.
Edwards, who journalist Mark Ogden described as an “ultra-positive” manager, has shown that he can coach a solid defensive unit as part of a team that is competing at the top of the table, whilst his coaching history shows that he can win titles and improve teams, like Forest Green Rovers and Luton.
This suggests that he would be the perfect fit for what Rangers currently need after the 24 goals conceded in 17 matches under Martin, because of his ability to coach an impressive defence.
He would be an even better appointment than Dyche, as well, because he has a recent track record of competing for titles or promotion, including the current season, whilst the former Burnley boss has been a perennial survival specialist for the past decade.
Therefore, the Light Blues should realise their interest in Edwards by approaching Middlesbrough to discuss a potential deal for the manager, rather than moving for Dyche.