(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)

Rangers figures anxious of sack after 49ers and Cavenagh takeover - Exclusive

Derek Ferguson

At the start of 2024, former Rangers star Derek Ferguson agreed to become Ibrox News' newest pundit. Ferguson started his career at Ibrox, making his league debut for the club aged 17 in a draw against Hearts in 1984. He eventually left Rangers in 1990 after making 91 league appearances and winning two Scottish titles. Ferguson went on to play for the likes of Hearts, Sunderland and Falkirk before retiring after a spell at Raith Rovers in 2006. Now, Ibrox News is delighted to have the former midfielder sharing his weekly thoughts on all things Rangers.

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Rangers are going through a period of change, with new majority owners now in place and a new manager set to follow.

Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers Enterprises finalised their takeover at Ibrox last week and have committed to invest an initial £20million.

That bombshell update was followed by news that Nils Koppen, who was working on Rangers transfer targets, is to leave his position as technical director.

Koppen was initially hired as director of football recruitment before moving into his most recent position towards the end of 2024.

Nils Koppen
Koppen has been ousted at Rangers (Credit: Rangers Football Club on YouTube)

Koppen may not be last Rangers figure to exit

Koppen lasted a little over 16 months at Ibrox, with Dan Purdy set to now work closely with fellow newbie Kevin Thelwell behind the scenes.

The pair know each other from their time at Everton, which could suggest Thelwell wants to work with others he knows.

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Rangers need serious improvement next season

And according to pundit Derek Ferguson, speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, other figures at Rangers may now be sweating over their own roles.

"Everyone will be feeling under more scrutiny," he said. "I think it's unfair on Koppen because he was asked to do two or three jobs in once originally - it wasn't fair.

"The recruitment has been way off it for years now for a club like Rangers. I did think Koppen, who is experienced, still had a role to play there.

"The new guys will do their due diligence and see if there are better people out there for various roles - that's just the way of football.

"But a lot of people will now be looking over their shoulders wondering if they still have a job at Rangers."

Departing Everton director of football, Kevin Thelwell
Thelwell has joined Rangers from Everton (Credit: Imago)

Thelwell to have say on next Rangers manager

Thelwell may only have officially started his Rangers role recently, but he would have no doubt had one eye on the job while working at Everton.

The sporting director is working closely with Patrick Stewart to find Rangers' next manager, which is now widely considered to be Russell Martin.

Only once Martin is appointed can Rangers start to bring in new players, and that will ultimately be the proof in the pudding as to whether Thelwell is better suited to the position than previous incumbents.

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