Former Manchester United star Michael Carrick is in frame to take over as Rangers manager after Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard decided to step away from the race to replace Russell Martin at the Scottish club. After a poor start to the 2025-26 campaign, which saw fans protesting against Martin and demanding his removal, the head coach was finally sacked from his position earlier this month.
Rangers sacked Martin after massive fan protest
Martin, an ex-MK Dons, Swansea City and Southampton manager, only took charge at Ibrox this summer. His ball-playing philosophy was considered to be a good fit for Rangers, but many fans had their doubts from the beginning. Those fears proved to be well-founded, with Martin stumbling out of the blocks and never getting into his stride. A 1-1 draw with Falkirk proved to be the final straw, with Rangers left languishing in eighth spot on the league table, after picking up just eight points from seven top-flight fixtures this season.
They have just one league win to their name and are already 11 points adrift of table-topping Hearts, while they trail Old Firm arch-rivals Celtic by nine points. Before the manager's sacking, the Rangers fans had made their feelings clear when they went public with their protest against the boss as they visited the Ibrox for a Scottish League Cup quarter-final clash with banners, which read: "Russell out – worst manager in history." They also hurled balls onto the pitch, which led to a delay in the start of the game.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportGerrard walk out of race after emerging as favourite to replace Martin
After Martin's departure from Ibrox, Anfield icon Gerrard emerged as the favourite candidate to replace him. Gerrard, who had previously worked with Rangers and had even guided them to a league victory in 2021, was tipped to return to Glasgow. Gerrard held positive talks with the club hierarchy, however, journalist reported on Saturday that the 45-year-old is no longer keen on accepting the manager's role at Ibrox Stadium.
The report added that the former England international is not quite ready to take up a new assignment as head coach at the moment. further claims that Gerrard had told Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh and vice-chair Paraag Marathe that he wanted to have full control over the transfers, but he later opted out.
Man Utd legend in contention to accept Rangers jon
Now that the Gerrard chapter is over, the Daily Mail further claims that Rangers officials have started looking at other options, including Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna, while Sheffield Wednesday head coach Danny Rohl is also being considered by sporting director Kevin Thelwell, CEO Patrick Stewart and Gretar Steinsson of 49ers Enterprises. But the name that has stood out is United legend Michael Carrick, who is currently without a job.
The 44-year-old was sacked from his first permanent managerial job at Middlesbrough in June this year. Carrick was appointed as the club's head coach in 2022 and he immediately took the team up the table and secured a play-off place, only to see his team beaten in the semi-finals. Middlesbrough narrowly missed out on a top six in the following two campaigns, leading to Carrick's dismissal ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. The former England midfielder has also managed the Red Devils on an interim basis in the past.
GettyCarrick linked with a move to United
Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim's future at Old Trafford has come under scrutiny after the club's ridiculously slow start to the 2025-26 campaign, which has seen them lose three out of their first seven matches to currently occupy 10th position in the league table. Despite spending heavily in the summer transfer window, especially to bolster the team's attack, Amorim's men are still not looking convincing.
Carrick was closely linked with a move back to his old club last month to replace the underperforming Ruben Amorim, although INEOS chief and club minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made it clear, recently, that Amorim is here to stay for the long run, as the billionaire provided a three-year cushion to the Portuguese coach.