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Rangers Football Club axes CEO and sporting director amid poor results

Nov 24, 2025, 1:19 PM20
(Update: Nov 24, 2025, 3:36 PM)
association football player and manager
association football club in Glasgow, Scotland

Rangers Football Club axes CEO and sporting director amid poor results

  • Chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell have left Rangers amid performance issues.
  • The club has struggled with a poor start to the season and extensive criticism of their recruitment strategy.
  • Chairman Andrew Cavenagh is leading the search for new leadership to align with the club's vision for the future.
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Rangers Football Club, based in Scotland, has experienced a challenging start to the season, winning only one of their first eight league matches, and suffering seven consecutive losses in European competitions. This concerning performance has been linked to a recruitment strategy that drew considerable criticism during the summer. The club’s American ownership, having completed their takeover earlier in the year, has responded to growing scrutiny and dissatisfaction from supporters by reshaping its leadership structure. Just weeks after dismissing manager Russell Martin, they have now opted to part ways with chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell. Chairman Andrew Cavenagh and vice-chairman Parag Marathe have taken charge of the search for new leadership roles that will align with their vision for the future of the club. Cavenagh confirmed that the decision was driven by a need to enhance the club's sporting performance, which included significant changes such as appointing Danny Rohl as the new manager following Martin's departure. Rohl's reassignment was part of a strategy to revive domestic performance and stabilize the club during a turbulent period. Cavenagh recognized the skills and contributions of Stewart and Thelwell, acknowledging that the evaluations of club needs had shifted since the American investors took control of the franchise. He emphasized the importance of adhering to a vision that suits the new direction of both the CEO and sporting director positions. Though their departures were painful for both the board and management team, Cavenagh insisted they are essential for the growth of the club moving forward. He reassured fans that interim support for the new managerial position would be provided effectively. In the wake of these changes, former director Fraser Thornton will temporarily assume the acting CEO role until a suitable replacement is found. Cavenagh's commitment to a deliberate hiring process prioritizing the right fit for the club's future reflects the commitment of the American ownership to turn the fortunes of Rangers around after setbacks this season. Overall, the leadership shakeup at Rangers underscores the urgency of improving performance both on and off the pitch as they navigate an uncertain path ahead.

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