Rangers Launch Leadership Rebuild as Stewart and Thelwell are shown the door
By Rhys Livingstone
US ownership removes CEO and Sporting Director after disappointing start and shift in long-term vision
Rangers have acted off the pitch, removing Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell with immediate effect. The club’s new American owner, Andrew Cavenagh, said: “Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell are leaving Rangers Football Club.
“Responsible change is measured and steady. Our first priority has been to improve the sporting performance, and that led to our decision to part ways with Russell and bring in Danny Röhl.
“Danny has now started the process of improving the on-pitch performance, and that has given us the chance to focus on other parts of the club.
“Patrick and Kev are both skilled executives and have delivered a lot in their time.
“We’ve now had six months since we became part of Rangers to assess the club’s needs as well as to get to know Patrick and Kev.
“When we think about what we need, it’s different than who we think Patrick and Kev are. We want people that align with the vision for the next chapter. The club needs different things today than it did six months ago.
“We’ve already started the hiring process and hope to have appointments soon, but we will prioritise quality and fit over speed.
“I want to reassure our supporters that Danny will continue to have all the support that he needs. In the interim, Fraser Thornton, our director, will be assuming the duties as acting CEO.
“Change like this is always painful, especially when it involves people we care about. But at the same time, we’re very excited about this opportunity to bring in fresh leadership to this great club. We appreciate everyone’s continued support.”
Ranger’s fans have been calling for change at the top for a long time now, but the sacking on Monday came as a surprise.
Just last month, after the announcement of Danny Röhl, Cavenagh expressed his backing for both Stewart and Thelwell, and explained that mistakes have happened but will be left in the past.
However, both Stewart and Thelwell were unpopular, both were challenged in an airport, protested about outside the stadium and chanted about on many occasions at home and away matches.
Thelwell’s job consisted of bringing in talent, however, with an astonishing amount of £27 million spent in one transfer window, many players have not lived up to expectations.
One example was spending £8 million on Youssef Chermiti who didn’t score a goal in 28 months. Recruitment has been far from good enough and a lot of that blame falls on Thelwell.
Cavenagh said: “There will be no more chaotic exits from Ibrox so that keeps Thelwell’s son Robbie as head of recruitment. Dan Purdy and Nathan Fisher [also] remain put.”
The search for a new CEO and sporting director will be conducted by Andrew Cavenagh and Parage Marathe.