Philippe Clement will be relieved to have Nils Koppen on board after Rangers lost CEO James Bisgrove without replacing Ross Wilson as sporting director. As the manager focuses on the challenging task of rebuilding the squad, having someone of Koppen’s caliber in a top-level position provides crucial support that could ease the burden significantly.
While the team’s management structure faces uncertainty, reports suggest that St Mirren’s Jim Gillespie is set to take on the CEO role. However, his appointment has not generated much excitement among the Rangers faithful, primarily due to his lack of experience in football at the level expected at Ibrox.
Rangers urged to aim high in CEO hunt
During an interview on Talksport with Jim White on August 20th, former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan suggested that Rangers should aim for a higher standard in their search for leadership. Jordan pointed out that with Rangers’ significant turnover of £60-£80 million and their status as a top Scottish Premiership club competing in Europe, they should be able to attract highly capable executives to address the club’s challenges.
Jordan also expressed his belief that Graeme Souness would be a valuable addition to Rangers, recommending him for a role as director of football or a board consultant. He described this as a “very sensible appointment” given Souness’s extensive knowledge and experience in football.
However, Jordan acknowledged that Souness has been away from direct involvement in football for nearly two decades, suggesting that the game may have evolved in ways that could make a hands-on role challenging for him. While Souness could still offer valuable insights as an advisor to the board, it seems that the opportunity for him to take on such a role may have passed, following earlier discussions with former CEO James Bisgrove.
Rangers need a leader with experience of elite level football
Jordan’s point is valid—Rangers were in the final of a European tournament just two years ago and continue to be one of the highest-ranked teams according to UEFA’s coefficient system. This underscores the club’s stature in European football and reinforces the idea that they should be able to attract top-tier talent to manage and lead the organization effectively.
The training ground and Ibrox Stadium, when not undergoing renovations, are both of elite quality, showcasing the club’s commitment to maintaining top-tier facilities. Much of this progress is due to the work of James Bisgrove, whose efforts have significantly boosted the club’s revenue, with facilities contributing almost year-round.
Since the 2015 takeover, solid foundations have been laid for the right leader to take Rangers to the next level. It’s crucial that John Bennett and his board select someone with the experience and vision to guide Rangers toward their future goals, rather than someone who has never operated at the club’s current level.
The pressure on the Rangers chairman is already mounting, and making a misstep with such a pivotal appointment would only intensify the scrutiny.