HEAD Coach Russell Martin set-out his vision for dominant, attacking football early in his managerial career as he took the reins in his first coaching job at MK Dons back in November 2019.
At the time, he had been playing for them, but made the step into the dugout as first-team manager. It wasn’t a surprise move for the defender, who had already been completing his coaching badges with the ambition of making that transition into management.
In one of his first interviews with MK Dons after being confirmed in his new role, the then 33-year-old set out his early vision for a Russell Martin team. He said: “It changes a little bit in different leagues, where you are at, the players you have got, but I have to find a style that I enjoy watching.
“That is what we are all in it for, we all want to enjoy watching our own team and watching good football, so I have to find a way to balance that with making sure it is effective in getting results.”
It wasn’t long until he attracted the attention of Swansea City after receiving plaudits for his style with MK Dons in League One.
Martin was described as a ‘young and hungry’ coach by former Swansea City chief executive as he made the next step in his managerial career, joining them in August 2021.
Former footballer, and current Swansea City ambassador Lee Trundle, recently reflected on Martin’s time at the club in an interview with the BBC.
“He's a very clever manager," Trundle told Sportsound on BBC Radio Scotland. "I think he'd be a brilliant fit for Rangers.
“Man-management is probably one of his strongest points. Everyone at Swansea loved playing for him. He’s honest with his players, he tells them what he needs.”
With praise growing for Martin’s coaching talents, he made the move to Southampton in June 2021. It was a hugely successful first season as he guided them into the Premier League.
In an interview with the Southampton website, Martin opened up on his tough upbringing, and his clear resilience and determination to make it in football.
He said his career had been ‘built on proving people wrong’ and overcame many obstacles to make it as a professional, with Martin’s character and work-ethic reflected in his team’s performances.
After promotion success in his first season, it was a difficult second campaign, which saw him lose his job back in December.
Taking time out to reflect on that seems to have been what Martin needed as he sat down with Gary Lineker in an open interview for the Rest is Football podcast.
He said: “I have been watching bits of stuff I think I can take a lot from and spending time with people I think I can take a bit from.
“It is at the point now where I am really starting to feel excited about what is next, I have turned down a few jobs in the last few months, just because it didn't feel right.”
Now Martin has found the right fit at Rangers, there’s one thing for sure, the head coach brings a track record of possession-based attacking football, as well as the determination and character to succeed.