Kevin Muscat will NOT become the new Rangers head coach, despite talks reaching an advanced stage
Rangers’ search for a new head coach has hit a major stumbling block, with Sky Sports News reporting that Kevin Muscat will no longer be joining the Scottish giants. Talks between the club and Muscat, who currently manages Chinese Super League leaders Shanghai Port, had reached an advanced stage, but practicalities surrounding the move reportedly made the appointment unworkable.
Muscat, a former Rangers player, had been identified as a potential successor to Russell Martin, who was recently relieved of his duties at Ibrox. However, negotiations ultimately failed to produce an agreement acceptable to both sides, leaving Rangers back at square one in their quest to appoint a manager capable of guiding the club back to domestic and European success.
Rangers are understood to remain in discussions with other potential candidates, though no official announcements have yet been made. The sudden collapse of Muscat’s prospective move comes amid growing scrutiny over the club’s recruitment process and the management of the first-team setup.
Criticism from Former Rangers Striker
The drawn-out search for a replacement has drawn criticism from former Rangers striker Kris Boyd, who has openly expressed frustration at the board’s handling of managerial succession. Speaking to Sky Sports, Boyd described the process as “embarrassing” and suggested that the club’s problems extend far beyond the managerial position.
“There’s something broken within the football club right now,” Boyd said. “The fans are fed up; it’s been a long time since Rangers have been a successful football club. There’s an expectation to go and win trophies. But first of all, you’ve got to win games to do that. There are a lot more problems that lie deeper than the manager.”
Boyd also reflected on Russell Martin’s tenure, arguing that while results were inconsistent, the manner in which the club has handled the managerial transition has only added to the frustrations of supporters.
“Russell Martin has been removed from his duties, and you see the same things happening again. There’s no togetherness from the stands to the hierarchy. They feel as if the club is going one way, and the fans are putting their money in. It isn’t as if Russell Martin was doing really well two weeks ago he was removed from his role, and the five or six weeks before that were just as bad,” Boyd added.
The former striker emphasized the importance of planning and succession, suggesting that a club of Rangers’ stature should have already had a candidate lined up. “Surely that succession plan should be in place. You should already be speaking with someone. The drawn-out process over the course of the last two weeks has been embarrassing for the football club,” Boyd said.
Muscat’s Current Role and Future Prospects
Kevin Muscat’s withdrawal from consideration leaves questions about the club’s next move. Muscat has enjoyed success in Asia, leading Shanghai Port to the top of the Chinese Super League and attempting to secure the league title. His experience and prior connection to Rangers made him an appealing candidate, but logistical challenges likely relating to contractual obligations and relocation appear to have scuppered the deal.
Rangers now face the delicate task of stabilizing the managerial situation while maintaining focus on their domestic and European campaigns. The club has a passionate fan base that expects immediate results, and the uncertainty at the top of the coaching hierarchy could have wider implications for player morale and performance.
The club’s hierarchy is expected to continue evaluating potential candidates, with fans eagerly awaiting an announcement that could signal the start of a new chapter for Rangers. In the meantime, questions linger over the process by which the club approaches such critical appointments, and whether lessons will be learned to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
As the situation develops, supporters will be watching closely for any indication that Rangers can quickly secure a competent and capable head coach to guide the club forward.
More details are expected in the coming days as the story develops.
