Mark van Bommel confirms Rangers manager talks in ‘unbelievable’ Ibrox admission
Rangers may be ruing their decision to appoint Russell Martin after a poor start to the season at Ibrox.
With Gers fans witnessing their worst start to a league campaign in 42 years, pressure is mounting on the former Southampton boss to turn things around.
Martin’s future at Ibrox is uncertain, with Kevin Thelwell admitting that things need to change quickly at the Light Blues after just three wins in 11 matches.
The draw in the Old Firm derby against Celtic on 31 August didn’t really help the Scottish manager’s cause, and Andrew Cavenagh may be having second thoughts about appointing him over other candidates.
Rangers spoke with Mark van Bommel before appointing Russell Martin
Mark van Bommel has revealed that he held talks to become the Gers’ head coach before Martin’s appointment.
The former Netherlands international has confirmed that conversations were held, but not directly with the Light Blues’ hierarchy at Ibrox.
Van Bommel, who won the league title as manager with Royal Antwerp in 2023, remembers the “unbelievable” atmosphere he witnessed in G51 during his playing career.
Speaking on talkSPORT on 4 September, the 2010 World Cup runner-up said: “Yeah, there were some talks [to become the manager], but not directly to the board of Rangers.
“I played against them once with PSV. The atmosphere is unbelievable. The Scottish league for me is a good league, and it’s a challenge to become champion and play in Europe.”
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Russell Martin replacement could be needed soon at Ibrox
Martin seems to be skating on thin ice at Ibrox, with the Scottish manager certainly facing the heat from the hierarchy at the Gers.
The 39-year-old head coach has already lost the backing of most fans, with the away support making their voices heard during the 6-0 loss to Club Brugge in the Champions League play-off at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Glaswegian outfit sacking the former Southampton boss in the coming weeks if results and performances don’t get better.
- Martin has a 27 per cent win rate at the Gers.
- The Light Blues suffered their joint-worst defeat in Europe after losing 9-1 on aggregate to Brugge.
- The Bears have conceded 17 goals this season.
Ally McCoist wants to see Jose Mourinho at Rangers, but the Portuguese head coach may not be the best option for them.
Van Bommel, on the other hand, plays an attractive brand of football and may find the right personnel at the Gers after Thelwell and Martin’s recruitment drive in the previous transfer window.
The Dutch head coach won the Jupiler Pro League and the domestic cup double at Antwerp, and that experience could potentially come in handy at a club like the Glaswegian outfit.
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