Rangers news: Huge update emerges on new sporting director
Patrick Stewart recently sat down to explain the plans for Rangers and the changes expected behind the scenes.
Speaking to the club website, the CEO issued a clarification on Nils Koppen’s role given what he’s done with player recruitment since moving to Ibrox.
Stewart has lauded Koppen for his work and has been impressed with the calibre of players he’s brought to the club.
Rangers are now eyeing a new sporting director
Stewart confirmed on 19 February that the club are keen on hiring a new sporting director.
This appointment would put someone at the top of the footballing tree and Koppen will be allowed to focus on what he does, which is player recruitment.
Stewart said: “We are now in the market for a Sporting Director.
“That role will put someone right at the top of the football tree; an experienced football person who will be responsible for all aspects of the football club to ensure they’re working together towards fulfilling our holistic joined-up plan.
“If you look at each of the elite European football clubs, most of them will have a single person that is responsible for the entirety of the football operations.
“We are something of an outlier by not having that at the moment, so that’s why we’re going to that model.
“Nils was brought in to do player recruitment and when there were some senior departures in the football area he stepped up and brought some stability and leadership.
“I’m really grateful to him for doing that.
“Nils has performed really strongly in player recruitment, and we can see the results of that with the players that we have at the moment.
“He is someone who I rate really highly, but the Sporting Director will complement his role as it will allow him to focus on what he was hired to do, which was to recruit players and, in a wider context, squad planning.
“This will give some breathing space to do that and it will really complement and give him the ability to do that.”
| Team | Matches | Points |
| 1. Celtic | 26 | 69 |
| 2. Rangers | 26 | 56 |
| 3. Aberdeen | 26 | 38 |
| 4. Dundee United | 26 | 37 |
| 5. Hibs | 26 | 34 |
Patrick Stewart has to get this appointment spot on
Gers urgently require a new sporting director to steer the club back to a path of sustained success both on and off the pitch.
The absence of a sporting director since Ross Wilson’s departure to Nottingham Forest has left a significant void in the strategic oversight of football operations, which was evident in the transfer market mishaps under the previous management.
This role is crucial for implementing a cohesive football strategy, managing recruitment and ensuring alignment between the board’s vision and the team’s performance.
Without this leadership, Gers have struggled with squad planning, player trading and maintaining ca ompetitive edge, in the Scottish Premiership where rivals Celtic have capitalised on more structured approaches.
It’s important Stewart gets this appointment right and the ideal candidate should have a proven track record in player recruitment, understanding the nuances of the transfer market, including scouting and negotiating skills, to find and secure talents that fit within the club’s financial and tactical frameworks.
They also should demonstrate strong leadership capabilities, ensuring they can work effectively with Philippe Clement and the rest of the football board to foster a consistent playing philosophy.
Experience in a similar role, preferably at a club with high expectations or in a competitive league, would be vital.
Moreover, the new sporting director should have excellent business acumen to understand the self-sustaining model and ensure that everything runs smoothly.