3 weeks ago
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Rangers have confirmed the appointment of Russell Martin as the club’s new head coach. The 39-year-old former MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton boss has signed a three-year contract. He will be joined at Ibrox by the assistant head coach Matt Gill and performance coach Rhys Owen.
Martin guided Southampton to promotion to the Premier League last year, but was sacked in December after one win from their first 16 games. Rangers finished last season under the caretaker management of the former captain Barry Ferguson, having dismissed Philippe Clement in February.
The former Scotland defender Martin, who had a short loan spell as a player at Rangers in 2018, is tasked with wresting power back from the other side of Glasgow after Celtic’s stranglehold on Scottish football continued with a 13th Premiership title in 14 seasons.
“From my time here, I had a taste of how special this club is, the expectation, the passion and the history,” he told the club’s website. “Now, as I return, I’m determined to bring success back, for the supporters, the players, and everyone inside this club. There’s a lot to be done, but the goal is clear: win matches, win trophies and give Rangers fans a team that they can be proud of.”
Martin’s arrival is the latest in a series of major changes at the club. An American consortium led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises secured a majority shareholding on Friday, while the new sporting director Kevin Thelwell officially began work on Monday.
Inzaghi joins Al-Hilal as Fábregas plays down Inter links
ShowSimone Inzaghi has been appointed coach of Al-Hilal, the Saudi Pro League side announced on Wednesday. The Italian left Inter on Tuesday after the side's humiliating 5-0 loss in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain last Saturday, and has quickly taken on another managerial job.
The Saudi club did not immediately disclose any details about Inzaghi's contract, but Italian media reported that it could be worth up to €30m (£25.3m) per season. Inzaghi's first task will be to take charge of Al-Hilal at the Club World Cup in the US; they will face Real Madrid on 18 June in their group opener.
Earlier on Wednesday, Cesc Fàbregas pledged his immediate managerial future to Como amid speculation that the Spaniard is Inter's main target to replace Inzaghi.
The former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder has attracted the attention of several top clubs after leading promoted Como to 10th place in Serie A.
'I really believe in Como's long-term project, I arrived here as a player and I'm very, very happy because I can work here the way I want," Fàbregas, who is also a shareholder in the club he manages, said at the SXSW (South By Southwest) conference in London. Italian media have reported that Inter want to speak to Fàbregas after Inzaghi left by mutual agreement on Tuesday. Reuters
The Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart, who led the recruitment process alongside Thelwell, said: “Our criteria for our next coach were clear: we wanted a coach who will excel in terms of how we want to play, improve our culture, develop our squad, and ultimately win matches. Russell was the standout candidate.”
