Major candidates for new Rangers’ Sporting Director revealed | OneFootball

Former Leeds chief 3/1; Jörg Schmadtke (7/2), David Weir (9/2) and Jurgen Klopp (10/1) among leading contenders after Ibrox boardroom clear-out

Orta

Rangers’ latest link, Victor Orta is a Spanish football executive best known for his work as a sporting director across Europe. Starting at Sevilla under Monchi, he later joined Middlesbrough, Leeds United, and now works with Sevilla again. Orta built a reputation for data-driven recruitment and bold scouting choices, helping Leeds return to the Premier League in 2020. His approach mixes analytics with instinct, often targeting undervalued talent abroad. While praised for ambition, he’s also faced criticism for inconsistency and risky signings. Despite polarising views, Orta remains one of modern football’s most recognised technical directors, shaping squads through an aggressive recruitment philosophy.

And following Rangers’ decision to dismiss chief executive Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell with immediate effect, Esports Bets have revealed the latest odds for the next sporting director at Ibrox.

Betting

Former Leeds United director Victor Orta heads the betting at 3/1. Ex-Liverpool and Wolfsburg operator Jörg Schmadtke is next at 7/2, while former Rangers and Everton defender and current football executive David Weir is 9/2 to return in a senior role. 

Leicester’s long-serving director of football Jon Rudkin is a 5/1 chance, with ex-Monaco and Spurs director Paul Mitchell priced 7/1.

Darragh Harbison, spokesperson for Esports Bets, said: “Rangers will be looking to move quickly after making some seismic changes off the pitch, parting ways with their chief executive and sporting director this week.

“The early betting points to Victor Orta as the likeliest candidate at 3/1 to take the sporting director role, closely followed by Jörg Schmadtke at 7/2 and former Rangers defender David Weir at 9/2.

“Jon Rudkin and Paul Mitchell are next in the market, priced 5/1 and 7/1 respectively.”

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