RANGERS IN CRISIS: Sporting Director KEVIN THELWELL “SET TO BE SACKED” — CLUB MOVES FAST TO NAME REPLACEMENT
Rangers fans — buckle up. Less than a week after the shock dismissal of manager Russell Martin, reports suggest the Ibrox board are already circling another scalp: sporting director Kevin Thelwell. Sources tell media outlets Thelwell’s position is now under intense review, and that the club could move quickly to replace him as part of a wider clean-out. The rumor mill is spinning fast — and the noise is only getting louder.
The perfect storm: manager gone, director next?
It was never supposed to be this way. Martin arrived this season with a plan; Thelwell, installed as sporting director, was the architect of a busy transfer window. But results on the pitch have been disastrous and patience at Ibrox has run out. After a run of poor form and a damaging draw with Falkirk that proved the final straw, the club sacked Martin — a move that immediately put fingers pointing at those responsible for recruitment and long-term strategy. Now, insiders say the board has turned its attention to Thelwell’s role in transfer decisions and recruitment failures.
Make no mistake: the sacking of a manager often triggers a domino effect. When a head coach is removed barely months into the job, questions follow about who green-lit the transfers, who approved scouting decisions, and who is accountable for the squad’s composition. With high expectations at Rangers and an ownership group under pressure to deliver, the club hierarchy may feel they have little choice but to act — and fast.
“Replacement named immediately” — what that actually means
Headlines claiming an “immediate replacement” has been appointed are premature. There’s no club statement confirming Thelwell has been sacked or that a successor has been installed. What the reporting does show, however, is that:
Thelwell’s job is under scrutiny according to exclusive reporting.
Rangers are actively interviewing and compiling a shortlist of managerial candidates, with the sporting director’s role and remit being a live topic in those conversations.
In short: the board appears ready to reshuffle the football department and could name new faces quickly — but as of now, the “replacement” talk is based on leaks and speculation rather than an official Ibrox press release. Treat the breaking claims as hot rumor, not confirmed fact.
Who’s being mentioned as potential fixes?
If Rangers do push Thelwell out, who steps in — and who might be parachuted into the manager’s seat? Several names have been floated across the national press and betting markets:
Danny Rohl — the young, tactically modern coach linked strongly in recent shortlist reports and seen as a forward-thinking option.
Kevin Muscat — a potential option with experience abroad, also reported to be on Rangers’ radar.
Slaven Bilić — the experienced former West Ham boss who has publicly said he is “ready” for work amid links to the club; he’s emerged as a name in the betting and rumor columns.
Steven Gerrard — long the sentimental favorite among sections of the Ibrox support; reports this week suggested talks and conditions around the sporting director role were a stumbling block to any swift return. Gerrard’s reported demands over transfer control have placed Thelwell’s role squarely in the spotlight.
These are the names being bandied about in headlines and social feeds — but remember: shortlists change, negotiations stall, and betting odds shift. A dramatic, headline-friendly appointment can happen — but it can also fall apart at any stage.
Why fans are furious — and why the board feel the pressure
Supporters are angry for several reasons. Big transfer outlay, underwhelming results, and high expectations create an ugly cocktail. As Sky Sports and other outlets have pointed out, Rangers spent heavily in the window with mixed returns — and that amplifies fan frustration when performances collapse. Thelwell, as the public face of recruitment, has absorbed a great deal of the heat, both online and in the stands.
From the board’s perspective, decisive action is a way to show swift governance and “doing something” — particularly when the club is owned by a consortium under scrutiny for results. Whether that wisdom translates to long-term stability is another matter; frequent leadership churn rarely solves structural problems overnight.
The danger of knee-jerk reactions
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: firing your sporting director in the middle of a chaotic season can be cathartic — but it isn’t always constructive. A new director needs time to install scouting networks, to run data and recruitment strategies, and to understand the club’s financial architecture. Replace the brains of a football operation in haste, and you risk creating further inconsistency. Yet clubs do it all the time when the pressure mounts; fans demand change, and boards respond. The balancing act is brutal.
What happens next — timeline and likely scenarios
If Rangers are moving to sack Thelwell, expect these immediate developments:
1. Interim management — an internal caretaker or short-term appointment to steady the ship while the search continues. (This is common practice following rash exits.)
2. Rapid shortlist — clubs will quickly identify candidates who can step into director or head coach roles; expect a flurry of interviews and denials in the media.
3. Fan reaction — social media storms, protests at games, and pressure on the board — all potential catalysts for further change.
If the board wants to move fast and soothe supporters, they may announce a “replacement” within days. But a rushed hire risks shoddy due diligence — and in football, that can come back to haunt a club.
Final word: sensational headlines — and the sober reality
We’re in the classic “wildfire” phase of football news: a big event (Martin’s sacking), followed by a second conflagration (Thelwell under threat), and then a thousand sparks — names, claims, alleged “immediate” appointments — flying across social feeds. Some of those sparks will die. Others will ignite. For fans craving drama, the headlines are delicious. For those who want certainty, there’s nothing yet official to hang your hat on.
What we do know: Russell Martin has been sacked and the club is in upheaval. What we do not know for certain: whether Kevin Thelwell has already been sacked and who, if anyone, has definitively been named as his replacement. For now, the story is live, volatile, and primed for the moment
