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Russell Martin is among the finalists to become the next head coach of the Columbus Crew, sources briefed on the situation tell The Athletic.

Martin was most recently in charge at Rangers, having been sacked in October after just four months in charge.

The Crew are looking to replace Wilfried Nancy, who was named Celtic head coach this winter.

Martin, 39, was the head coach at Southampton before his spell at Rangers. He led the club to promotion from the Championship via the play-offs in 2023-24.

He was dismissed by Southampton in December 2024, a few months after the club’s return to the Premier League, and Southampton were ultimately relegated at the end of the campaign.

Martin, a former Scotland international, began his coaching career with MK Dons in 2019 before he joined Swansea City in 2021.

Columbus was one of the defining MLS teams of the decade so far under Nancy, winning trophies (2023 MLS Cup, 2024 Leagues Cup) and blitzing the league with an up-tempo, possession-based style.

The Crew finished seventh in the Eastern Conference last season and has a roster headlined by Diego Rossi and Wessam Abou Ali. The club has the unenviable task of replacing not only Nancy but midfielder Darlington Nagbe, one of the most accomplished players in MLS history.

Tom Bogert is a Senior Writer for The Athletic, providing exclusive, original and unique insights on MLS and the U.S. national team. He has previously written for MLSsoccer.com, The Guardian, and more.