Robbie Thelwell latest revealed as Rangers confirm bombshell boardroom exits from Ibrox
Rangers announced the departures of Kevin Thelwell and Patrick Stewart on Monday, amid weeks of fan disgruntlement.
The pair have taken huge criticism since Rangers hired Russell Martin, with the decision to finally sack the Englishman taken far too late.
The Gers won just one of their seven Scottish Premiership games under the guidance of the former Southampton boss, with huge fan outrage having developed by the time Martin was finally dismissed.
Thelwell and Stewart then led a dismal replacement process, with Rangers first rejected by Steven Gerrard, with a move to hire Kevin Muscat then also breaking down before Danny Rohl was eventually appointed.
Rangers fans protested Thelwell and Stewart’s positions at Ibrox during a game against Roma earlier this month, with banners unfurled depicting the duo with crosshairs over their faces.
Kevin Thelwell allies to remain at Rangers
Thelwell has taken huge criticism, in particular, over the past few months, with the sporting director seeming to constantly hire his own allies.
Several staff members from the Englishman’s former job at Everton followed him to Ibrox, with one particular appointment creating a huge uproar.
| Robbie Thelwell | Career |
| Rangers – Head of first team recruitment | 2025- |
| Norwich City – Head of technical scouting | 2023-2025 |
| Aston Villa – First team Scout | 2020-2023 |
| Wolves – First team technical scout | 2016-2020 |
Rangers hired Thelwell’s son, Robbie Thelwell, as head of recruitment, despite the 26-year-old’s limited experience within the game.
The sporting director later explained the decision in a press conference, saying that decision-makers at Ibrox were well aware of the potential backlash, but that his son underwent a thorough process.
And despite the departure of Thelwell, the Daily Record have reported that the head of recruitment will stay in place at Ibrox, along with technical director Dan Purdy and head of scouting Nathan Fisher, who were both hired by the former sporting director.
All focus is now being placed on preparing for the January transfer window, with Rangers insistent that they will not rush the appointments of Thelwell and Stewart’s successors.
- Read more: This is why Rangers parted ways with Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell after bombshell Monday news
Thelwell and Stewart departures sudden but no shock
Less than two weeks ago, Thelwell was talking about appointing further figures to the Rangers backroom staff.
He said: “We’re talking about making another appointment in a director of football operations role. That very much is focused on the way in which we operate on a day-to-day basis at the training facility.”
“We’d like to add some additional (coaching) support, perhaps someone who knows the Scottish landscape much stronger than (Rohl) does and much stronger than we do,” Thelwell added. “And then perhaps some additional specialism. Let’s watch this space.”
Andrew Cavanagh has since made it clear that it was not Thelwell and Stewart who decided to leave, with the Rangers chairman explaining to Sky Sports that the Gers “need something different.”
The move has clearly come suddenly for the pair, but it should be no surprise considering the controversy that has surrounded both men for months now.
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