Rangers axe Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell as chairman explains call and futures of 4 others clarified

The Ibrox club announced on Monday lunchtime that both Stewart and Thelwell have been relieved of their duties and the process to recruit their replacements starts immediately.

Stewart joined Rangers as CEO a year ago, while Thelwell was appointed sporting director in April during the period when US-based businessman and now chairman Andrew Cavenagh was leading the takeover of the Ibrox side alongside 49ers Enterprises.

The news is likely to be welcomed by parts of the Rangers fanbase given there have been persistent calls for Stewart and Thelwell to be removed from office during the past few months. Rangers started the season poorly, only winning one of their first seven matches in the Premiership, which led to the dismissal of head coach Russell Martin. Fortunes have improved under his successor Danny Rohl, with the team nine points behind current league leaders Hearts with a game in hand.

Nevertheless, Cavenagh and the Rangers board felt compelled to make even more changes after such a challenging start to their reign in Govan. Thelwell in particular has come under significant scrutiny for what has been widely deemed as a failed transfer window. Rangers spent in excess of £20 million on players such as Youssef Chermiti, Bojan Miovski, Oliver Antman, Djeidi Gassama and Joe Rothwell. The purchase of Portuguese striker Chermiti for £8.5m from Thelwell’s former club Everton especially rankled with the supporters given that he has only scored once since his arrival.

Stewart and Thelwell have recently been confronted by angry Rangers fans, both at Ibrox and during trips to European matches, with some supporters unfurling banners at games calling for them to be sacked with their faces scored out with a red line.

The Scotsman understands that the removal of Stewart and Thelwell does not have an immediate impact on the futures of technical director Dan Purdy, head of first team recruitment Robbie Thelwell (the son of Kevin), chief scout Nathan Fisher and John Hunter-Barrett, who is coming in as academy director from Wolves.

Rangers say they will not rush the hunt for replacements and club director Fraser Thornton will assume acting chief executive duties in the meantime. Cavenagh and his vice-chairman, Paraag Marathe of 49ers Enterprises, will lead the recruitment process.

What Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh had to say

Confirming the departures, Cavenagh said: “Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell are leaving Rangers Football Club.

“Responsible change is measured and steady. Our first priority has been to improve the sporting performance, and that led to our decision to part ways with Russell [Martin] and bring in Danny [Rohl]. Danny has now started the process of improving the on-pitch performance, and that has given us the chance to focus on other parts of the club.

“Patrick and Kev are both skilled executives and have delivered a lot for the club in their time with it. We've now had six months since we became part of Rangers to assess the club's needs as well as to get to know Patrick and Kev a bit more. Simply put, when we think about what we need in both CEO and sporting director today, it's different than who we think Patrick and Kev are.

“We want people that align with the vision for the next chapter. I will not throw dirt on either of them. I think very highly of them both on personal and professional levels. It's just the reality that the club needs different things today than it did six months ago.

“We've already started the hiring process and hope to have appointments soon, but we will prioritise quality and fit over speed. I want to reassure our supporters that Danny will continue to have all the support that he needs. In the interim, Fraser Thornton, our director, will be assuming the duties as acting CEO.

“Change like this is always painful, especially when it involves people we care about. But at the same time, we're very excited about this opportunity to bring in fresh leadership to this great club. We appreciate everyone's continued support.”

Rangers also added in a brief statement: “Rangers Football Club confirms it has parted company with CEO Patrick Stewart and Sporting Director Kevin Thelwell.

“Rangers expresses its sincere gratitude to both Patrick and Kevin for their leadership and unwavering commitment to the club.

“Chairman Andrew Cavenagh and Vice Chairman Paraag Marathe have already begun the search process and, until permanent hires are made, Director Fraser Thornton will assume the role of acting CEO.”