Rangers Football Club’s search for a new manager has taken another dramatic turn after Kevin Muscat, the leading candidate to replace Russell Martin, officially pulled out of the running on October 19, 2025. The collapse of Muscat’s potential appointment marks the third time in as many weeks that a preferred managerial target has withdrawn from consideration, leaving the Glasgow giants in a state of continued uncertainty and frustration.
Muscat, currently at the helm of Chinese Super League leaders Shanghai Port, had been in advanced discussions with Rangers’ American ownership group and senior executives. Sources confirmed that positive talks took place last Thursday between Muscat and club figures including owner Andrew Cavenagh and vice chairman Paraag Marathe. There was even an agreement in principle, with Rangers prepared to pay a seven-figure compensation fee to Shanghai Port. But as negotiations moved to the next phase with chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell, a number of complications arose that ultimately scuppered the deal.
The biggest stumbling block was timing. Muscat, out of loyalty to his current club, was determined to see out the remainder of the Chinese Super League season, which does not conclude until November 22. With Shanghai Port sitting two points clear at the top of the table and just three matches remaining, the Australian coach was understandably reluctant to abandon his squad during a crucial title run-in. Had Muscat agreed to take the Rangers job immediately, he would have missed up to seven matches for his new club, a scenario neither side found workable.
Further complicating matters, Muscat reportedly harbored concerns about Rangers’ recruitment model and the level of influence wielded by sporting director Thelwell. While some Rangers sources have denied that these issues were central to Muscat’s decision, others close to the negotiations suggest they played a significant role. This echoes the experience of Steven Gerrard, who, after holding talks with Ibrox chiefs in London, also withdrew his candidacy, citing misgivings about the club’s management structure. Danny Rohl, the former Sheffield Wednesday boss, similarly exited the race last week, frustrated by the protracted timeframe and uncertainty surrounding the appointment process.
With Muscat’s withdrawal, Rangers now find themselves back at square one. The club has been managed on an interim basis by under-19s coach Steven Smith since Russell Martin’s dismissal on October 5, following just 123 days in charge. Martin’s tenure ended after a poor start to the season that saw Rangers languishing in sixth place in the Scottish Premiership, with only one win from eight league games and an early exit from Champions League qualification. The most recent setback came on Saturday, when Smith’s side had to claw back from behind to secure a 2-2 draw at home against Dundee United—leaving the club still without a home league victory this season.
Smith, who has twice served as caretaker manager, admitted after the Dundee United match that he is unsure how long he will remain in charge. Speaking to the press, Smith confessed, "I don’t know if I’ll still be in charge for Thursday night’s Europa League match against Brann Bergen." That fixture, set for October 23, looms large for a club desperate to restore stability and regain a winning edge, especially given their winless record in the competition so far this season.
The drawn-out search for a new head coach has not gone unnoticed by Rangers supporters or the Scottish football community at large. Pundit Kris Boyd did not mince words, telling Sky Sports, "There’s something broken within the football club right now. 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’s comments reflect a growing sense of frustration, not just with results on the pitch, but with the club’s succession planning and leadership at the highest levels.
Behind the scenes, the managerial search has been led by chairman Andrew Cavenagh and vice-chairman Paraag Marathe, both part of the US consortium that took over Rangers during the summer. They have been joined by 49ers Enterprises technical director Gretar Steinsson, CEO Patrick Stewart, and sporting director Kevin Thelwell. Despite the high-powered search committee, the process has been dogged by setbacks and public scrutiny. Reports that Muscat’s deal collapsed due to disagreements with Stewart and Thelwell have been dismissed by club insiders, who insist that timing and contract logistics were the main issues. Nevertheless, the optics of losing out on three high-profile candidates in succession have added to the sense of crisis at Ibrox.
Muscat’s decision to remain in China is hardly surprising given Shanghai Port’s current status. The club is on the verge of making history, sitting two points clear of Chengdu Rongcheng with just three matches left in the season. Their thrilling 4-3 victory over Qingdao Hainiu on Friday marked their 18th win of the campaign. If Muscat’s side can maintain their lead, they will become only the second team since 2002 to win three consecutive Chinese Super League titles, matching a feat previously achieved only by the now-defunct Guangzhou Evergrande.
Meanwhile, Rangers are left to consider other options. Hearts boss Derek McInnes and former West Ham and Croatia manager Slaven Bilic have been mentioned as possible targets, though both come with their own complications. Hearts, for instance, are leading the Scottish Premiership and would be loath to lose McInnes mid-season. Bilic, on the other hand, has been out of management since August last year after his dismissal from Al Fateh.
Despite the setbacks, club officials remain optimistic that a new appointment will be made soon. According to BBC Scotland, Rangers have been speaking to multiple candidates and are confident of concluding the process in the coming days. For now, however, the uncertainty continues, with interim boss Steven Smith preparing the team for another crucial European night and fans anxiously awaiting news from the boardroom.
As the managerial saga drags on, one thing is clear: the pressure is mounting at Ibrox, and the next appointment could prove pivotal for the club’s fortunes both on and off the pitch. With key fixtures on the horizon and supporter patience wearing thin, Rangers’ leadership faces a crucial test in the days ahead.