Chris Jack issues update on Stewart and Thornton leaving Rangers
Chris Jack has issued an update on Patrick Stewart and Fraser Thornston’s future post the Rangers takeover.
The San Francisco 49ers are aiming to secure a majority stake in the Ibrox outfit, something they aim to finalise within the coming weeks.
Everything is understood to be on track with regards to the deal and the club even confirmed that.
Stewart and Thornton will not leave post takeover
Jack admits that while there will be plenty of new faces arriving at Rangers, the new owners are not expected to immediately change the chairman and chief executive.
Both Thornston and Stewart have only been months into their roles at Ibrox and are expected to be there for the foreseeable future.
They were both hired before there were reports of any takeover happening so they clearly were appointments of the current regime and not the new one.
Jack said on Four Lads Had a Dream’s YouTube channel: 18:54: “We do expect Fraser Thornton, the chairman, and Patrick Stewart, the chief exec, certainly to stay on and in the immediate aftermath of regime change.”
Rangers will need Thornton and Stewart to deliver
The new owners will likely demand high performance to align with their ambitious vision for the club.
Thornton, as chairman, will be expected to provide strategic leadership, foster strong stakeholder relationships and ensure the board supports the 49ers’ long-term goals, including financial stability and competitive success.
Stewart, as chief executive, will be tasked with driving operational excellence, overseeing commercial growth and enhancing the club’s global brand while maintaining on-pitch performance.
| Shareholder | Stake |
| Dave King | 12.96% |
| Douglas Park | 11.54% |
| George Taylor | 10.22% |
| Stuart Gibson | 9.53% |
| Julian Wolhardt | 9.53% |
| John Halsted | 9.53% |
| John Bennett | 7.11% |
Both were appointed under the current regime, not the 49ers, so their alignment with the new owners’ objectives will be critical.
Failure to deliver on these expectations, such as poor financial results, lacklustre team performance, or strategic missteps, could prompt the 49ers to seek replacements, as new ownership often prioritises leaders who can execute their vision effectively.
It certainly would not be in anyone’s best interest to have a drastic change behind the scenes as some kind of stability is certainly needed.