Martin’s Tactical Approach Under Scrutiny: Can He Adapt at Ibrox?
The potential appointment of former Southampton manager, Martin, as the new boss at Ibrox has sparked debate among football pundits and fans alike. One of the key criticisms levelled at Martin during his time at Southampton was his reluctance to adapt his tactics, with some suggesting he was too stubborn in his approach. However, according to a former team-mate, Angus Gunn, Martin’s ability to adjust his team’s style of play is being unfairly maligned.
Gunn, who played alongside Martin at Norwich City, had a front-row seat to the Scot’s managerial approach during their time in the English Championship. Speaking to BBC Sport, Gunn recalled their encounters with Martin’s Southampton team, saying: "They were a tough team. We had a couple of good games against them. One was 4-4, one was 1-1, so quite contrasting." Gunn’s comments suggest that Martin’s team was capable of adapting to different situations, with Gunn noting that in their second encounter, Southampton were "a little bit pragmatic" in their approach.
Gunn’s observations are at odds with the narrative that has followed Martin throughout his managerial career. The former Scotland defender has been accused of being too rigid in his tactics, with some suggesting that he needs to be more flexible in order to succeed at the highest level. However, Martin himself has pushed back against these claims, telling BBC Sport: "There is a difference between being stubborn and having conviction. If you really believe in something as a coach, manager, leader, then the logic for me is that you stick with it and try to be better at it."
This philosophical approach to management is likely to be on full display if Martin gets the Ibrox job. According to sources close to the club, Martin is one of the leading candidates to succeed current manager, Giovanni van Bronckhorst. If appointed, Martin will be tasked with turning around the fortunes of a team that has underperformed in recent seasons.
Despite the criticism he has faced, Martin’s record at Southampton suggests that he is a capable manager who can get the best out of his players. During his time at the Saints, Martin oversaw a significant improvement in the team’s defensive record, and his ability to organise a team has been praised by many in the game.
As the speculation surrounding Martin’s potential appointment at Ibrox continues to build, one thing is clear: the Scot’s approach will be under intense scrutiny. While some may question his willingness to adapt, those who have worked with him, like Gunn, suggest that Martin is more flexible than he is given credit for. As BBC Sport has learned, Martin’s commitment to his principles will be a key factor in his success or failure at Ibrox.
Martin’s appointment, if it happens, is likely to divide opinion, but one thing is certain: all eyes will be on him as he attempts to turn around the fortunes of the Glasgow giants. According to BBC Sport, there is no doubt that Martin will be given the time and resources to implement his vision at Ibrox, but it remains to be seen whether his approach will yield the desired results.
