Rangers reshuffle confirmed as women's head coach Malky Thomson returns to academy role
Rangers women’s head coach Malky Thomson will leave his role and rejoin the academy at Auchenhowie, as confirmed by the official club website.
Thomson’s side missed out on the Scottish Women’s Premier League title on Sunday in a three-way contest with Glasgow City, who won in dramatic fashion at Ibrox to seal the crown, and Celtic who thought their own victory at Parkhead was going to bring the trophy their way.
Rangers won the league for the first time, last season, but the failure to build on that key success and deliver a Champions League return has contributed to this development.
Incoming Ibrox chief executive officer James Bisgrove praised his impact, stating that it was always part of the plan for Thomson to return to a role in the academy.
“Malky has achieved historic successes and will be remembered as the coach who led us to our first-ever league title and first journey in the Champions League,” he said.
“On behalf of the Board, I congratulate Malky for his fantastic contribution to the Women’s football programme.
“We will now commence the search for a new women’s head coach who will join Rangers in the summer.’’
Not enough
The SWPL title in the last campaign was followed up with a Sky Sports League Cup success this season, ahead of the Scottish Cup final with Celtic at Hampden on Sunday which will be Thomson’s last act.
However, given the resources that Rangers chiefs have put into the women’s setup, the return has not been enough and now the head coach has been moved on.
In what is effectively a three-team league in terms of competing for honours, the Gers have not won enough of their individual contests with Glasgow City and Celtic over the past couple of seasons.
City has regained the title in a competition that they have dominated over the years prior to the Old Firm launching professional sides to compete in the women’s game.
They will push on for more so the task of the new head coach to be appointed will be to ensure Rangers return to the top.
In other Rangers news, this highly rated Ibrox teenager believes he is ‘good enough’ for an instant impact on Michael Beale’s squad.