Kevin Thelwell sacked as Rangers Director of Football | OneFootball

Everton's former Director of Football, Kevin Thelwell, has been sacked from that role at Rangers, along with CEO Patrick Stewart. The club's sporting director and chief executive were told of the decision over the weekend and no longer work for the club. 

Although the club's American owners backed both men in public as recently as last month when Danny Rohl was unveiled as manager, they've now been shown the door with Rangers now seeking individuals who 'align with the vision for the next chapter'.

Both had been criticised by supporters following a poor start to the season that led to Russell Martin's dismissal in October after just 17 games as head coach.

Former Manchester United chief executive Stewart only arrived at Ibrox in December, while Thelwell\'s appointment was announced in April, although he did not take up post until leaving Everton at the end of last season.

Rangers have since been subject of a takeover from a US-based consortium led by Andrew Cavenagh, who has appointed director Fraser Thornton as interim chief executive while replacements are found.

"We've now had 6 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," chairman Cavenagh said in a club statement.

"And, simply put, when we think about what we need in both a 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."

Thelwell's short spell at Ibrox was largely defined by the decision to appoint Martin, who proved to be Gers' shortest-serving permanent manager in history when he was sacked in October after just 17 games in charge.

Thelwell left Everton at the end of last season after new owners The Friedkin Group made the decision not to renew his contract.

Eric Myles 3 Posted 24/11/2025 at 12:48:59

Thelwell gets P45

Ian Bennett 4 Posted 24/11/2025 at 14:48:05

Big Kev Thewell shown the door.

Paul Kossoff 5 Posted 24/11/2025 at 15:08:29

Rangers sack CEO Stewart & sporting director Thelwell

Rangers have sacked chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell with immediate effect, with the Scottish Premiership club suggesting they "do not align with their vision for the next chapter".

Kieran Kinsella 7 Posted 24/11/2025 at 15:55:53

Paul

Quit blunt:

"And, simply put, when we think about what we need in both a CEO and sporting director today, it's different than who we think Patrick and Kev are."

I think Thelwell's biggest problem was spending by Rangers' standards a lot of money on Chermitti. It's not like the 90s when Rangers could outspend Premier League clubs. Now they need to spend every penny wisely and blew a lot on him for zero return so far.

Kevin Thelwell Rangers transfer rated as axed sporting director's £40M dirty dozen obliterated.

The man who oversaw a disastrous summer rebuild has been shown the door and Danny Rohl left with 12 of his summer recruits.

Thelwell oversaw the signing of 12 new players but none can claim to be a major success. In fact, the dismal displays of many of the club's new faces was a key ingredient in the decision to bin boss Russell Martin after only 17 games in charge.

Ouch...

Kieran Kinsella 11 Posted 24/11/2025 at 18:07:34

Interesting Max Aarons is seen as one of his first signings because earlier this year he was still being linked with Everton, a continual saga that dragged on for about five years. I seem to remember when we had Godfrey tens of millions being quoted as suitable fees for us to get him. Evidently, he is rubbish.

Kieran Kinsella 12 Posted 24/11/2025 at 18:09:59

Michael

We can add him to the list with DCL and Tom Davies of talents who'd show us doubters what they could do once they escaped from us horrendous Evertonians. Hasn't worked out too well for any of them.

I am a blue. I have seen success at Everton. I have watched football for at least 55 years.

It is my opinion that Kevin Thelwell was a poor appointment and did almost nothing to improve the clubs playing staff. In fact when he left he left us in deep shit.

I grant Illy is a great player and an excellent signing. Obi is very good, Tarks (despite his flaws) too. The rest. No. I include Pensioner Gueye.

Had his acquisitions been 55% Illy like, 30% Obi / Tarks and the rest duffers, I would have been gutted to see him leave.

Thelwell did a decent job at Everton, he got rid of a load of dead wood and brought in some very good players, e.g. Ndiaye and O'Brien, two current first-teamers rated highly on here. He got in a few duds too, name me a Sporting Director who hasn't done that. Rangers is an absolute basket case of a club, probably better off out of there.

Paul Griffiths 15 Posted 24/11/2025 at 19:21:29

I remember the fella on here, an American, who kept telling us that KT had done a great job and actually said that he would go to a bigger club than us.

Thelwell presided over a dozen summer lightweights and bringing in Martin, the most loved Rangers gaffer in recent years.

Another mighty club beckons for found-out Thelwell