Football
Sean Dyche in line for next Rangers Manager as odds SLASHED overnight
Rangers have confirmed the sacking of head coach Russell Martin following a torrid start to the season, ending his tenure after just 123 days in charge at Ibrox.
The decision, announced on Sunday, October 5, makes Martin the shortest-serving permanent manager in the club’s history.
The move comes after a run of inconsistent performances and disappointing results that have left the Glasgow giants languishing in eighth place in the Scottish Premiership table. After only seven league games, Rangers are already 11 points adrift of early leaders Hearts, a gap that proved too large for the club’s hierarchy to tolerate.
Tensions reached boiling point on Saturday after a 1–1 draw away at Falkirk.
Supporters made their frustrations clear at full-time, with some even preventing the team bus from leaving the stadium in protest. The result capped off a string of poor displays that saw Rangers struggle to find rhythm or identity under Martin’s leadership.
Martin’s brief reign was intended to usher in a fresh tactical approach, but a lack of cohesion and defensive frailty quickly eroded optimism among fans. Having been appointed amid high hopes of revitalising the squad, his failure to deliver consistency has now forced the Rangers board to act swiftly.
The managerial uncertainty has also affected the betting markets. Rangers, who began the season priced at 2/1 to reclaim the Premiership title, have since drifted to 11/1 following their sluggish start. Attention has now turned to who might take over at Ibrox as the club looks to steady the ship.
Bookmakers have installed former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard as the early favourite to return, with odds of 5/2 suggesting he remains a popular choice among supporters.
Former Burnley and Everton manager Sean Dyche follows closely behind at 7/2, while current Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl is priced at 11/2.
Kevin Muscat, who previously managed Yokohama F. Marinos, is listed at 6/1, with Kilmarnock’s Derek McInnes at 8/1. Other names are expected to emerge in the coming days as Rangers assess their options ahead of what could prove to be a crucial appointment in their season.
For now, the search for stability begins again at Ibrox, with the club facing mounting pressure both domestically and from an increasingly restless fanbase.
Whoever takes the reins next will need to deliver results quickly to restore belief and keep Rangers’ season alive.
FA Cup favourites Arsenal have been handed a trip to League One side Mansfield Town as they continue their pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple.
FA Cup fifth round draw in full
Fulham v Southampton
Port Vale/Bristol City v Sunderland
Newcastle United v Manchester City
Leeds United v Norwich City
Mansfield Town v Arsenal
Wolves v Liverpool
Wrexham v Chelsea
West Ham v Brentford
Mansfield are through to the fifth round for the first time since 1975. They followed up an eye-catching third-round victory over Sheffield United by coming from behind to stun Premier League outfit Burnley in the fourth round.
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There are three all-Premier League ties in the draw. Newcastle United host Manchester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers welcome Liverpool, while West Ham United face Brentford. Brentford reached this stage after eliminating sixth-tier Macclesfield.
Wrexham have been rewarded with a glamour home tie against Chelsea, while Daniel Farke will face his former club as Leeds United take on Norwich City at Elland Road.
The fifth round ties are scheduled to take place over the weekend of 7th and 8th March.
Nottingham Forest are searching for a new head coach after parting company with Sean Dyche.
Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers proved to be Dyche’s final match in charge, bringing an end to a brief spell that began in October following the dismissal of Ange Postecoglou.
Forest sit 17th in the Premier League table, just three points above the relegation zone, and are now preparing to appoint their fourth manager of the season.
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Here are some of the leading contenders.
Vitor Pereira
The former Wolves boss is expected to feature prominently in the betting. Pereira left Molineux in November 2025 with the club at the foot of the table, yet his broader CV remains strong.
He has won league titles in Portugal and China and guided Olympiacos to the Greek Super League crown. That success in Greece could appeal to Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Kieran McKenna
McKenna has been linked with several top-flight roles since leading Ipswich Town to promotion in 2023/24.
Known for encouraging a high-tempo style, he has also shown flexibility in adapting his approach to different opponents. Whether he would leave Ipswich while they remain in the promotion mix is uncertain, but Forest may view him as a long-term appointment.
Marco Silva
Silva’s contract at Fulham is due to expire at the end of the season and there has been little indication he will extend his stay at Craven Cottage.
The Portuguese coach has delivered stability, guiding Fulham to three straight mid-table finishes after promotion in 2021/22. Forest were previously linked with him following Postecoglou’s exit and could revisit that interest.
Enzo Maresca
Marinakis has shown ambition since acquiring Forest in 2017 and could turn to former Chelsea manager Maresca.
Although dismissed, Maresca oversaw a fourth-place Premier League finish and UEFA Conference League success in 2024/25. The Italian may seek a project offering backing and time, which Forest would need to guarantee if they retain top-flight status.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær
Solskjær has been out of work since departing Beşiktaş J.K. earlier this season. He had also been linked with a return to in a temporary capacity before Michael Carrick was appointed.
During his time at Old Trafford, Solskjær favoured a direct, counter-attacking style that could suit Forest’s current squad. His experience in the Premier League may appeal as the club look to steer clear of the drop.
There is just one Premier League fixture on Thursday night to conclude the midweek programme, with leaders Arsenal heading across the capital to face Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The visitors sit top of the Premier League table, but the pressure remains firmly on as the title race tightens. Mikel Arteta’s side know any slip-up could prove costly at this stage of the campaign.
Brentford have emerged as one of the season’s surprise packages under Keith Andrews. The Bees are firmly in contention for a Champions League place and will see this clash as an opportunity to strengthen their position in the European race.
Successive away wins at Aston Villa and Newcastle have kept their European hopes alive and confidence is high in west London.
Bet Builder Predictions
Draw
Igor Thiago to commit 2+ fouls
Noni Madueke to score or assist
A Bet Builder featuring those selections is priced at approximately 15/1 with Bet365
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Despite their strong overall campaign, Brentford’s record in home London derbies is less convincing. The Bees have won just one of their last 11 such matches in the Premier League, drawing six and losing four.
They are winless in seven home London derbies since a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in August 2024.
Brentford famously beat Arsenal in their first ever Premier League match in August 2021, but they have not tasted victory against the Gunners in nine meetings across all competitions since, losing five of the last six encounters.
Arsenal’s position at the summit could look tighter by kick-off. Manchester City’s midweek result has cut the gap, meaning Mikel Arteta’s side may arrive in west London with only a three-point cushion.
The Gunners have been formidable in London derbies. They have lost just one of their last 23 Premier League matches against fellow capital clubs and only one of their last 20 away games against London opposition.
Defensively, Arsenal have set the standard this season.
No side has conceded fewer than their 17 league goals and they have kept four clean sheets in their last five top-flight outings. That resilience will be key again on Thursday.