Russell Martin believes his turbulent spell at Rangers has left him a better and more experienced manager as he prepares for a fresh challenge with Leicester City.
Martin’s time in Glasgow lasted just 123 days, making him Rangers’ shortest-serving manager.
His tenure ended after a difficult run that produced only one victory in seven league matches.
The former Rangers boss also faced intense criticism from supporters and sections of the wider football community, particularly over his tactical approach and preferred style of play.
Rather than allowing the experience to define him, Martin says he has used it as another lesson in what has already been a rapidly developing managerial career.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, the Leicester manager reflected on the experience with a mixture of honesty and perspective.
“It’s been and gone really, so I feel like I’ve learned a lot. I learned a lot from every role,” the gaffer said.
“In the same way, I learned so much at MK Dons, so much at Swansea, so much at Saints, so much at Rangers.”
Martin admits that Rangers presented a unique challenge.
While previous jobs had provided valuable footballing and managerial lessons, his experience in Scotland forced him to deal with criticism that he felt became deeply personal.
“Probably in a different way at Rangers, I learned a lot about navigating a lot of criticism.
“It was very personal and not always professional, and it is what it is.”
The intensity surrounding Rangers meant Martin had little time to implement his ideas before results and performances became the dominant talking points.
He insists, however, that he remains proud of what he attempted to build despite the limited time available.
“So, I feel like I’ve been really proud of what we built. Every single club Rangers was so difficult in such a short period of time to build anything for us.
“So, obviously, that is a bit different. But I think it’s made me a lot better. It will make me a lot better as a manager.”
Martin’s next opportunity comes at Leicester City, who were relegated to League One before appointing him this summer.
The task is straightforward on paper but demanding in reality: rebuild confidence, restore momentum and guide the Foxes back towards the top end of English football.
For Martin, the experience accumulated at MK Dons, Swansea, Southampton and Rangers has prepared him for the challenge.
“I’m still very young, in terms of being a manager and in football, and so I feel the experiences I’ve had, good, bad, indifferent.”
He also accepts that football management ultimately comes down to results, regardless of how attractive a team’s football may be.
Martin has previously attracted attention for his possession-based philosophy and emphasis on structured football.
His Rangers experience, however, reinforced one unavoidable reality: managers must win.
“Although never that as a manager, it’s either good or bad, I think, and all the stuff that gets talked about with the way we work and the style of play and all that stuff.
“Really, I can’t focus on too much because I speak to the people I work with, the players I’ve worked with, the staff I’ve worked with, and as I said, I’ve been very proud of the cultures we built and the way certain teams have looked.”
That balance between philosophy and results could define Martin’s Leicester tenure.
The new Foxes boss believes he has arrived at a club where his footballing vision is shared across the organisation.
“It comes down to you have to win games of football, so I’ve come to a place where I feel we can win and win in a certain way, and the club wants, and the players want, the staff want, the owner wants, which really excites me.”
The Rangers chapter is closed. Leicester represents the next test.
Martin’s biggest advantage may be the difficult lessons he carries with him. The criticism, pressure and short lifespan of his Rangers tenure have given him another perspective on management.
Now he has the chance to prove that those lessons can translate into results.
For Leicester, the hope is that Martin’s next chapter will be defined not by criticism, but by consistency, identity and promotion ambitions.
Rangers tested Martin. Leicester could reveal what he learned.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
