Ex-Rangers boss Russell Martin installed second betting favourite for Championship manager role after sacking
Russell Martin has been linked with the now vacant Watford job, seven months on from the end of his abysmal Rangers tenure.
Ed Still was sacked on Sunday, less than three months after he was brought in to replace Javi Gracia.
The 35-year-old oversaw 15 games at Vicarage Road and won just three of them, ending the Championship season in 16th after five consecutive defeats.
Martin has been out of work since he was sacked from his position at Ibrox in October, after just 17 matches in charge.
But the former Rangers manager could now be set to make his return, as he attempts to mend a badly damaged reputation.
Russell Martin in race for Watford job
Football Insider exclusively revealed in January that Martin was a candidate for Leicester City, before decision-makers ultimately went with Gary Rowett.
It will take a leap of faith for a club to hire the 40-year-old this summer, after his stint at Ibrox was so dismal.
| Russell Martin | Rangers June 2025 – October 2025 |
| Wins | 5 |
| Draws | 6 |
| Losses | 6 |
| Scored | 21 |
| Conceded | 24 |
| Points per game | 1.24 |
Rangers won just five of his 17 games in charge, including just one of seven in the Scottish Premiership.
And it was not just the results that had fans up in arms – the football was woeful, with the Gers constantly looking like a team completely devoid of ideas.
Martin stuck with tactics that were not working, and refused to stop playing players who were clearly out of form.
Anger against him had become so fierce that, by the time he was finally sacked, the Englishman needed a police escort to leave the stadium after each game.
Danny Rohl took over from Martin and has also experienced some trouble, but Rangers are a far better team than they were under his predecessor.
Watford have been tipped to take the chance with the former Southampton manager, with one major bookmaker backing him as the second favourite at 5/1, while Erol Bulut is the favourite at 2/1.
What Martin said on Rangers exit
When Martin was appointed by Rangers, he was seen as a positive young manager who was intent on producing progressive, entertaining football.
It quickly became clear that his style was not working at Ibrox, however, and that stubbornness became a problem.
Speaking in March for the first time since he was sacked, Martin told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I don’t regret anything. There’s loads of frustration for me as a coach and a manager and a leader but ultimately, it’s always your fault as a manager.
“It’s my fault I didn’t do well enough and you learn from it and I’ll be better for it, for sure.”
“I’d have loved the time to have built something and I felt that was what the club needed,” he added. “The owners decided differently and they made their decision.”
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