Latest news with #KevinThelwell
Daily Mail
15 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXIT KOPPEN: Rangers technical director Nils Koppen is first high-profile departure from Ibrox following US takeover ... with Everton's Dan Purdy set to take his place
Nils Koppen is poised to be the first high-profile departure from Rangers following the completion of the American takeover last week. The Belgian will step down from his role as technical director in the coming days after just 18 months in Glasgow. Kevin Thelwell starts his new job as sporting director on Monday. Dan Purdy is set to fill the role that Koppen will vacate having worked alongside Thelwell at Everton. It's believed that Koppen will remain at Ibrox to help with the transition, but will then move on. The development follows an external review of all of Rangers' football operations, which chief executive Patrick Stewart announced in January. Koppen, who was formerly PSV Eindhoven's head scout, joined the Ibrox club as director of football recruitment under Philippe Clement before moving into his broader role last November. While he was credited with recruiting Hamza Igamane and Vaclav Cerny, there were misgivings about his overall record in the two full transfer windows that he oversaw, with Rangers ultimately finishing the season 17 points behind Celtic. It appears that the responsibility of identifying possible signings will now fall to Purdy. He enjoyed a close working relationship with Thelwell at Goodison Park, where he had a number of analytical and scouting roles. Rangers are now looking to overhaul their playing squad after health tycoon Andrew Cavenagh and his partners from the San Francisco 49ers completed their £75million Ibrox takeover. They immediately pledged to make £20m available to upgrade the first team via the purchase of freshly-issued shares. Thelwell, who has been working behind the scenes, will firstly prioritise securing a new manager. Davide Ancelotti and Russell Martin are the two main contenders. Despite interest from other clubs in Europe, Ancelotti, son of legendary manager Carlo, has told Rangers he is desperate to start his career in management with them. Martin looked set to fall out of the race last week when Leicester City lined him up as a replacement for Ruud van Nistelrooy. However, with the Foxes yet to axe the Dutchman following their relegation from the Premier League, Martin is still very much in contention to succeed Barry Ferguson as manager. Former Ajax boss Francesco Farioli and ex-Feyenoord manager Brian Priske are also in the running but are thought to be very much outsiders.
BBC News
16 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Purdy replaces Koppen as Ibrox technical director
Rangers' new American owners are continuing their restructuring of the club by appointing Everton's former head of recruitment Dan Purdy as technical director to replace Nils week, a US-based consortium, including the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers, completed a multi-million pound takeover of sporting director Kevin Thelwell officially begins his role on Monday, and the club have moved to bring in Purdy to work alongside him, as they did at previously head of scouting for Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, originally joined Rangers as director of football recruitment in January 2024 before the Belgian stepped up to become technical director 10 months later. Now the club's new owners have decided to move in a different direction, though Koppen will assist Thelwell with the transition into his new Ibrox club are expected to appoint a new head coach soon, with Davide Ancelotti and Russell Martin believed to be the two main Cavenagh will be confirmed as the club's new chairman at an annual meeting at the end of June. His vice-chair will be the current chairman of Leeds United, Paraag Marathe. Patrick Stewart will continue as chief executive.
The National
17 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Nils Koppen 'quits' Rangers days after takeover completed
The new regime are looking to restructure things behind the scenes and the Daily Record are claiming Koppen will step down from his role as technical director. Kevin Thelwell officially starts as sporting director tomorrow and the report adds that Koppen's departure will also be announced on Monday. The Belgian has been at Ibrox for 18 months, initially joining as director of football recruitment and then moving into his wider ranging role in November 2024. Read more: Ex-Rangers boss Philippe Clement 'rejects' job opportunity in major twist Who is Paraag Marathe? Profile of the main man behind the 49ers Rangers bid His signing record has been under scrutiny from supporters with the club failing to get closer to Celtic despite plenty of comings and goings. There were some success stories though with the likes of Jefte and Hamza Igamane looking like assets would could make the club money down the line. It was claimed recently that Barry Ferguson was planning to recommend the removal of Koppen should he have stayed on as manager.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Head coach appointment the 'first priority' for Rangers board
Rangers' new leaders Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe say their "first priority" is to appoint a new head coach. An American consortium, led by Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, are now in charge at Ibrox after buying a majority stake in the club and have pledged to invest £20m this summer. Advertisement Kevin Thelwell, who will officially join as sporting director from Everton on Monday, has been working in the background on the search for a head coach along with the new owners, with Davide Ancelotti the frontrunner and Russell Martin also in the frame. In an open letter to fans, chairman Cavenagh and vice-chairman Marathe said: "We are proud to be entering a new chapter for this extraordinary club. This moment is the result of months of thoughtful discussions with club leadership and our shared confidence in Rangers' success going forward. "To that end we'd like to tell you a bit about our thinking. "Simply put - our goal is to win trophies in Scotland and be able to compete at a high level in Europe, while laying a foundation of financial sustainability for the future. Advertisement "As our first step, we are investing fresh capital into Rangers, which will be strategically deployed on and off the pitch. "While we recognise the importance of resources, we believe that thoughtful, disciplined investment, guided by a clear strategy, is the path to enduring success. "Every decision, whether sporting or business, will be made with the club's long-term success and sustainability in mind. "We aim to leverage the full strength of 49ers Enterprises' sporting expertise and operational experience, and are confident in Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell to lead this next phase. Advertisement "Our first priority together is clear: hiring a new men's head coach. That process is already well under way, and we look forward to sharing more updates soon. We will also look to invest in talent for our teams. "Moving forward, we are reconstituting the board to bring in a few new voices and skill-sets. We all owe a special thanks to the previous board for their service. They stepped up in a difficult moment when the club needed them and laid the foundation for what comes next. "Above all, we know that true success comes from understanding and honouring what makes this club special. In our time getting to know Ibrox, Glasgow, and you, we've felt the pride, history, and passion that set Rangers apart. "You have made it clear what this club means to you, and we take the responsibility of leading this club seriously."
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Head coach appointment the 'first priority' for Rangers board
Rangers' new leaders Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe say their "first priority" is to appoint a new head American consortium, led by Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, are now in charge at Ibrox after buying a majority stake in the club and have pledged to invest £20m this Thelwell, who will officially join as sporting director from Everton on Monday, has been working in the background on the search for a head coach along with the new owners, with Davide Ancelotti the frontrunner and Russell Martin also in the an open letter to fans, chairman Cavenagh and vice-chairman Marathe said: "We are proud to be entering a new chapter for this extraordinary club. This moment is the result of months of thoughtful discussions with club leadership and our shared confidence in Rangers' success going forward."To that end we'd like to tell you a bit about our thinking."Simply put - our goal is to win trophies in Scotland and be able to compete at a high level in Europe, while laying a foundation of financial sustainability for the future."As our first step, we are investing fresh capital into Rangers, which will be strategically deployed on and off the pitch."While we recognise the importance of resources, we believe that thoughtful, disciplined investment, guided by a clear strategy, is the path to enduring success."Every decision, whether sporting or business, will be made with the club's long-term success and sustainability in mind."We aim to leverage the full strength of 49ers Enterprises' sporting expertise and operational experience, and are confident in Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell to lead this next phase."Our first priority together is clear: hiring a new men's head coach. That process is already well under way, and we look forward to sharing more updates soon. We will also look to invest in talent for our teams."Moving forward, we are reconstituting the board to bring in a few new voices and skill-sets. We all owe a special thanks to the previous board for their service. They stepped up in a difficult moment when the club needed them and laid the foundation for what comes next."Above all, we know that true success comes from understanding and honouring what makes this club special. In our time getting to know Ibrox, Glasgow, and you, we've felt the pride, history, and passion that set Rangers apart."You have made it clear what this club means to you, and we take the responsibility of leading this club seriously."
