Nicky Hayen, the manager of Club Brugge, has launched a passionate defence of under-fire Rangers boss Russell Martin, urging the Ibrox hierarchy to show patience despite a disastrous start to the season.
The surprising show of support comes from a rival manager, with Hayen insisting that Martin's philosophy needs time to be properly implemented at the Glasgow giants.
Results Not Going Rangers' Way
The pressure on Martin has intensified dramatically following a string of poor results. Rangers currently sit a disappointing seventh in the Scottish Premiership table after the opening fixtures, having already been eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers.
This poor form has led to growing discontent among the Ibrox faithful, with many questioning whether the former Norwich City defender is the right man for the job.
Hayen's Defence: "Give Him Time"
However, Hayen, whose Club Brugge side will face Martin's former team Southampton in a friendly, believes writing off the manager would be a premature and costly mistake.
"The results are not going their way at the moment, but you need to give a manager time," Hayen insisted. "He has a clear philosophy, a clear idea of how he wants to play. I like his team, I like the way they play."
Hayen pointed to the success of Mikel Arteta at Arsenal as the prime example of why clubs must stick with a long-term vision, even through difficult periods. He emphasised that implementing a distinct style of play, particularly one based on possession and building from the back, cannot happen overnight.
A Philosophy That Needs Patience
Russell Martin is renowned for his commitment to a possession-heavy, attacking style of football. While this approach can be effective and attractive, it often requires a significant adaptation period for players and is vulnerable to errors during its integration.
Hayen believes this current rocky period is simply part of that necessary process. He argues that the Rangers board must resist the temptation to make a rash decision and instead allow Martin the time to mould the squad in his image and see his project through.
The message from the Belgian coach is clear: stability and faith, not panic, are the keys to unlocking future success for the Light Blues.
