Russell Martin among favourites for vacant job less 24 hours after Rangers axe

RUSSELL MARTIN was dramatically sacked by Rangers late last night.

But he has already emerged as a shock contender for a quickfire return to management in England.

2 Russell Martin has been sacked as Rangers boss Credit: PA

2 Could Martin soon be calling Kenilworth Road his football home? Credit: Getty

Martin, 39, saw his dismal reign as Rangers boss come to an end on the back of a 1-1 draw with Falkirk.

It was the latest dire result in a run that saw the former Southampton boss win just five of his 17 matches in charge.

Just one of those wins came in the league, with Martin failing to win the other six.

Many fed-up fans had made their minds up weeks ago with punters chanting for Martin's exit as far back as the 6-0 mauling by Club Brugge on August 27.

Those calls only intensified in the weeks that followed and last night Gers chiefs finally pulled the plug on Martin just four months into his spell as boss .

He leaves Rangers languishing in eighth place in the league, 11 behind leaders Hearts and nine behind defending champions Celtic.

Steven Gerrard, Kevin Muscat and Sean Dyche are among the early favourites to replace Martin at Ibrox.

But what is next for Martin?

Prior to managing Rangers, he was in charge of MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton.

The former Scotland international received plaudits for the jobs done at MK Dons and Swansea, largely due to his style of play even if he only led both clubs to modest finishes in their respective league tables.

Martin earned a crack at the Southampton job in 2023 with the club having just been relegated from the Premier League.

He led the Saints back to the top tier at the first time of asking thanks to a dramatic play-off triumph over Leeds at Wembley.

But he struggled badly in the Premier League and was axed after a horror run of just one win in 16 games.

Then, of course, came that spell at Rangers that has just come to an end.

Martin has become the shortest-serving manager in Light Blues history and also has the lowest win rate of any permanent boss at the club at just over 29 per-cent.

But despite things going rather terribly at Ibrox, Martin has already been listed as a contender for a freshly vacant job back in England.

BetVictor have made him one of the favourites for the Luton Town vacancy.

The Hatters sacked Matt Bloomfield today after less than nine months in charge with the club sitting 11th in League One.

Luke Williams 4/1

Ian Evatt 5/1

Richie Wellens 6/1

Russell Martin 8/1

Jack Wilshere 8/1

Sean Dyche 8/1

Leam Richardson 8/1

Luton were of course a Premier League club just two seasons ago.

Martin is one of the favourites and is priced at 8/1 for the job, the same price as Rangers boss contender Sean Dyche.

Another former Swansea boss Luke Williams is the favourite at 4/1 with former Bolton manager Ian Evatt at 5/1.

Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens is 6/1 with former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere also a contender.

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson and ex-Rangers manager Steven Gerrard are also priced as outsiders for the job.

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