Rangers confirm Kevin Thelwell as new Sporting Director

[compo 7,905]

 

New Rangers sporting director Kevin Thelwell

Kevin Thelwell will lead Rangers into a new era after the Everton sporting director was announced as the Ibrox club's first major summer appointment.

The ex-Wolves and New York Red Bulls transfer guru will arrive in Glasgowonce his contract at Goodison Park expires at the end of the season.

Thelwell will lead Gers' search for a new permanent manager and Record Sport revealed he's also lining up an approach for Everton's academy director Gareth Prosser, whom he also spent time with in his previous role at the Molineux.

His Merseyside colleague is unlikely to be the only familiar face that joins him in Govan over the coming months as the 51-year-old sifts through his contract book and heads up a significant restructuring on and off the park.

With Rangers set to be bankrolled by the imminent American takeover,Record Sport examines eight players that Thelwell worked with who could be on the radar for potential summer transfers.

Asmir Begovic

Linked with Celtic last year, Rangers could be on the lookout for a new goalkeeper this summer with error-prone Jack Butland's future up in the air. Celts have had huge success signing Premier League veterans Joe Hart and Kasper Schmeichel in recent seasons and Rangers could do the same with 37-year-old Begovic. The ex-Stoke City, Chelsea and Bournemouth shotstopper is out of contract at Everton this summer and would likely jump at the chance to see out the remainder of his career at Ibrox. One potential issue is that he hasn't kicked a ball this term, playing second fiddle to England No1 Jordan Pickford.

Rui Patricio

Now this would be a proper signing. Patricio was rated among the best keepers in England during his time at Wolves before leaving for Roma in 2021. The 37-year-old joined Serie A rivals Atalanta last summer but has played just a handful of games. The Portugal international's deal expires at the end of this campaign and Thelwell could offer the Sporting Club of Portugal legend the chance to reignite his career at Rangers.

Conor Coady

Experienced Coady clearly has a soft spot for Rangers after uploading a picture on Instagram of his kid kitted out in a royal blue jersey. The 32-year-old defender is currently on the books at relegated Leicester City and has been in and out of the starting XI this season.

A no-nonsense centre-back, Thelwell lured Coady on loan to Everton from ex-club Wolves in 2022/23. A third reunion in Govan wouldn't be out of the question.

Willy Boly

At 36, Leon Balogun has arguably been Rangers' best defender over the last two seasons. So the fact Boly is 34 is unlikely to put the Ibrox club off a potential swoop. Gers need experience and Boly would certainly fit the bill. The Ivory Coast centre-back was a revelation at Wolves but has barely featured at Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest this season. Out of contract in the summer, the ex-Braga and Porto man would be a shrewd capture.

Mason Holgate

Holgate has been on Rangers' radar for years and now could be the time to swoop for the 28-year-old as he enters the final weeks of his Everton deal. The versatile star - who can play in defence or midfield - has spent the last three seasons out on loan at Southampton, Sheffield United and West Brom. Now in his second stint at the Hawthorns, Holgate has been a regular at the heart of the Baggies' defence but will want to find a permanent home for next season. Ibrox could be his next stop.

Nathan Patterson

The most obvious name of the lot. Patterson has been plagued by injuries at Everton since making his £11million switch from Rangers in 2022. The Scotland international has made just one start since David Moyes replaced Sean Dyche at the helm in January and the Toffees are unlikely to stand in his way if he's offered a return to Ibrox.

Still only 23, Patterson would be a long-term successor for captain James Tavernier, who is entering the final 12 months of his contract. As a homegrown talent, he ticks all the boxes and Gers could land him for a cut-price fee.

Jonny

Former Spain international Jonny made over a century of appearances for Wolves across his six years at the club before heading to PAOK in 2024. Capable of playing either left or right-back, the 31-year-old has been a regular for Greek side PAOK and would be an upgrade on Jefte and Rivan Yilmaz. Of course, there would be no sell-on value but on a free transfer, he would add quality and experience to the Ibrox rearguard.

Lewis Morgan

Okay, hear us out. Yes, Morgan played for Celtic but the boyhood Rangers supporter admitted in 2023 that he had switched his allegiances back to the blue side of Glasgow. He said: "I grew up a Rangers fan. I got the chance to play for Celtic, from a footballing perspective that was a big deal. Now that I'm not there anymore and playing over here I'm back to being a Rangers fan." The Scotland international has been a revelation in the MLS, starring for Inter Miami and New York Red Bulls - earning an international recall for Euro 2024.

A fans' favourite at NYRB, the 28-year-old has 31 goals and 10 assists in 80 outings. Thelwell played a key role in signing Morgan from Inter Miami too, saying in 2021: "We are delighted to add Lewis as an attacking option. Not only does he bring a wealth of experience from Europe, but he has found success in MLS the last two seasons. We hope that his experience within the league will provide an immediate impact to our group." Never say never.

[buster. 5,606]

1 hour ago, Bluedell said:

A valid concern, but perhaps, for the first time, we may have owners who are willing to commit to the model for the medium term and not throw it away after 6 months, which will hopefully lead to big improvements throughout the club.

This potentially raises an important question. The reason that the various projects/models have been tossed in the bin is because they weren't working and as I think you allude to, a lack of patience. This in large part, driven by the support.

 

What happens if after 12 / 24 months of 51% new ownership, it isn't working (ie. still second)?

 

 

_____________-------------_____________

 

How do 'modern methods' blend with the pressure and demands at a club like Rangers in Scottish fitbaw ? 

 

Only time will tell. 

If nothing else, it should be interesting. 

 

 

[CammyF 9,347]

4 minutes ago, buster. said:

This potentially raises an important question. The reason that the various projects/models have been tossed in the bin is because they weren't working and as I think you allude to, a lack of patience. This in large part, driven by the support.

 

What happens if after 12 / 24 months of 51% new ownership, it isn't working (ie. still second)?

 

 

_____________-------------_____________

 

How do 'modern methods' blend with the pressure and demands at a club like Rangers in Scottish fitbaw ? 

 

Only time will tell. 

If nothing else, it should be interesting. 

 

 

So we should be more patient even if it's obvious a "project" isn't working or isn't likely to work? 

 

We were patient with Gerrard as there was evidence that it "could work" and it did. 

 

Regarding the potential takeover, we were left with no option as currently we can't operate, nevermind improve. 

 

It was the ONLY option for potentially moving forward and becoming successful. 

 

That's not down to patience, just cold hard facts that the current board were unsustainable 

 

 

[buster. 5,606]

20 minutes ago, CammyF said:

So we should be more patient even if it's obvious a "project" isn't working or isn't likely to work? 

 

We were patient with Gerrard as there was evidence that it "could work" and it did. 

 

Regarding the potential takeover, we were left with no option as currently we can't operate, nevermind improve. 

 

It was the ONLY option for potentially moving forward and becoming successful. 

 

That's not down to patience, just cold hard facts that the current board were unsustainable 

 

 

 

Just answer the question Cammy.

 

Forget the 49% of old board for a moment.

 

What happens if after 12 / 24 months of 51% new ownership, it isn't working (ie. still second)?

 

I realise it is dark question but given circumstances, a fair one.

 

 

 

Edited yesterday at 10:57 by buster.

[CammyF 9,347]

19 minutes ago, buster. said:

 

Just answer the question Cammy.

 

Forget the 49% of old board for a moment.

 

What happens if after 12 / 24 months of 51% new ownership, it isn't working (ie. still second)?

 

I realise it is dark question but given circumstances, a fair one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can't predict the future, if there are signs of progress than I'm sure we'll all be on board. 

 

The fans have been patient with this board, the vast majority backing them until very recently.  

 

I'd still say the majority of fans were still back the board if the UB / RSA walkout was anything to go by. 

 

Now I've answered the question maybe you'll now agree / conceded that as a club / business this is the only option we have due to the mistakes of the "current board". 

Edited yesterday at 11:13 by CammyF

[Bluedell 6,087]

33 minutes ago, buster. said:

This potentially raises an important question. The reason that the various projects/models have been tossed in the bin is because they weren't working and as I think you allude to, a lack of patience. This in large part, driven by the support.

 

A lot of it is behind the scenes and unseen by the support, so I'm not convinced it's driven by them. My (uninformed) view is that it's the board that hasn't had the conviction to follow through on it, perhaps by employing the wrong people, and perhaps they have a lack of patience with their "toy".

[CammyF 9,347]

Some comments from Everton fans forum

 

 

[Sutton_blows_goats 6,138]

26 minutes ago, Bluedell said:

A lot of it is behind the scenes and unseen by the support, so I'm not convinced it's driven by them.

The support hold no authority or influence over the club or directors. 2012 is the biggest example of that.

[buster. 5,606]

7 minutes ago, CammyF said:

I can't predict the future, if there are signs of progress than I'm sure we'll all be on board. 

 

The fans have been patient with this board, the vast majority backing them until very recently.  

 

I'd still say the majority of fans were still back the board if the UB / RSA walkout was anything to go by. 

 

Now I've answered the question maybe you'll now agree / conceded that as a club / business this is the only option we have.

I'd say we have few options given circumstances and there not being many who want the gig. 

 

The status quo was always going to change somewhat given major shareholders were looking to sell or have essentially been forced out (health/ pressure).

 

However what was previously stated is that some of the current shareholders wanted to keep the club out of the hands of one 'outside' controlling interest. The reason being is that it could lead to an existential threat.

 

Now it seems as though the prevailing will is to relinquish what was a controlling emotional stake. 

 

In the end, I don't think there was a choice as such. 

 

 

 

In essence, we are gambling once again. Fans are happy because it is back to frenzied speculation and hope. It is understandable after a lot of relative misery.

 

To be clear. I am not saying that the new controlling interest is spiv like. 

 

However they come to make money from a business that has for about 3 decades lost money, year after year. A business that comes with very particular pressure in a very particular league.

 

 

Let's wait and see what they have to say when the deal is done. 

 

 

 

 

[Rousseau 11,677]

21 minutes ago, CammyF said:

Some comments from Everton fans forum

 

 

'Go to hell'. 

 

Great stuff.