Rangers’ move for Kevin Muscat collapses as club’s managerial turmoil worsens
Rangers’ hopes of appointing Kevin Muscat as their next head coach have collapsed, deepening the club’s ongoing managerial turmoil. The Australian, currently managing Shanghai Port in China, was in advanced talks to return to Ibrox but the deal fell apart after his current club’s Chinese Super League title race threatened to delay his start date by several months.
The 51-year-old, a former Rangers defender, had been identified as the leading candidate to replace Russell Martin, who was sacked earlier this month after just 123 days in charge. Muscat’s impressive record in Asia, where his side remain contenders for the league title, made him an attractive choice. However, with Shanghai Port’s campaign running into November or December, negotiations between the two parties broke down, leaving both sides unable to make the timing work.
The collapse comes after a turbulent fortnight at Ibrox. Former boss Steven Gerrard rejected an offer to return, while ex-Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl pulled out of the running, forcing Rangers’ board to continue their search. A source close to the club told BBC Scotland that officials have held talks with “multiple candidates” and remain confident that an appointment will be made “within days.”
For now, interim manager Steven Smith, promoted from the club’s academy setup, remains in temporary charge. But with the team languishing in sixth place in the Scottish Premiership and suffering one of their worst league starts in decades — just one win from eight games — the pressure to find a permanent replacement has reached breaking point.
Supporters were left frustrated again at the weekend as Rangers had to come from behind to rescue a 2–2 draw at home against Dundee United. The result means the club have yet to win a home league match this season — a statistic almost unthinkable for one of Scotland’s most decorated sides. The team’s failure to qualify for the Champions League under Martin further added to the sense of crisis surrounding Ibrox.
Muscat’s withdrawal from talks is another bitter setback for the board, who had viewed him as the ideal candidate to steady the ship. The former Melbourne Victory and Yokohama F. Marinos boss has built a reputation for disciplined, attacking football and a no-nonsense leadership style reminiscent of his playing days. His success in Japan and China made him one of the most sought-after coaches outside Europe, and Rangers were prepared to make a strong financial offer to bring him home.
However, the timing proved fatal to the negotiations. Sources say Shanghai Port made clear that Muscat would not be released before the end of their title campaign, which could stretch into late December. Rangers, desperate to install a permanent manager immediately to halt their slide, could not afford to wait that long. Both sides agreed to end discussions this week.
The decision leaves Rangers facing yet another setback in what has become a desperate search for stability. After Gerrard’s departure in 2021 and the short-lived reigns of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale, and now Russell Martin, the club has cycled through managers at an alarming rate. Each appointment has promised a new direction — and each has ended in disappointment.
Despite the chaos, insiders remain hopeful that a solution is near. The club is believed to be considering several domestic and international candidates, with an announcement expected before Thursday’s Europa League clash with Brann. For now, though, the sense of uncertainty looms large over Ibrox.
Rangers’ supporters, long accustomed to European nights and title challenges, have been left watching their club drift. The latest collapse in talks with Muscat has only amplified concerns that the problems run deeper than the dugout.
As interim boss Smith prepares his side for the upcoming Europa League fixture, fans will once again be looking for answers — and a leader capable of rescuing their season before it slips beyond repair