Rangers sack CEO and sporting director

Rangers have sacked CEO Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell, with both executives leaving their posts with immediate effect.

Both Stewart and Thelwell were heavily criticised following a dismal start to the season for Rangers, which led to the dismissal of manager Russell Martin in October.

Martin was removed from his role having won just five of his 17 games in charge in all competitions. At that point, Rangers were in eighth in the Scottish Premiership and had endured the ignominy of failing to get through to the league phase of this season’s Champions League.

They have since enjoyed an upturn in fortunes domestically under Danny Rohl. Rangers are fourth in the Scottish Premiership, nine points behind leaders Hearts and five shy of arch rivals Celtic in second.

But a winless start to their Europa League campaign has led to scrutiny on Rangers’ transfer business, and in a statement confirming the departure of Stewart and Thelwell, chairman Andrew Cavenagh made it clear the pair did not fit the club’s vision for the future.

Changes at the top for Rangers

Stewart was appointed last December, while Thelwell assumed his post in April.

Cavenagh became chairman after he led a takeover of the club in May as part of a consortium also including 49ers Enterprises, the business arm of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, which also owns Leeds United.

Director Fraser Thornton will serve as acting CEO, with Cavenagh and vice-chairman Paraag Marathe concluding that changes needed to be made.

“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 a bit more,” said Cavenagh.

“And, simply put, when we think about what we need in both a CEO and sporting director today, it’s different than who we think Patrick and Kev are. 

“We want people that align with the vision for the next chapter.”

“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.

“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 for the club in their time with it. I am not here and will not throw dirt on either of them.

“I think very highly of them both on personal and professional levels. It’s just the reality that the club needs different things today than it did six months ago. 

“We have already started the hiring process and hope to have appointments soon, but we will prioritise quality and fit over speed.

“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.”