Rangers close to major double announcement which threatens to shake up disastrous season

Rangers Set to Appoint New Chairman and CEO Following Recent Reshuffle at Ibrox

Rangers Football Club is on the verge of securing new leadership as they approach the appointment of a permanent chairman and CEO.

This decision follows a season plagued by instability and uncertainty at the top. The club has been without a permanent chairman since September, when major shareholder John Bennett stepped down due to health concerns.

This departure came at a time when the club was also facing delays in the development of the Copland Road stand, which forced them to play their opening matches at Hampden.

Additionally, Rangers have been without a CEO since James Bisgrove left the role to join Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia, a move that coincided with troubling news about the development project at Ibrox.

Nearly six months after Bisgrove’s departure, the club is close to securing replacements for both the chairman and CEO positions, marking a significant step towards restoring stability at the club.

The move to fill these crucial roles comes as Rangers have already made changes to their executive team.

Last week, Nils Koppen was promoted to technical director, another part of a broader shake-up within the club’s management structure.

This shift is intended to strengthen the leadership team as Rangers look to navigate a challenging period both on and off the pitch.

According to reports from the Scottish Sun, Rangers are set to appoint Malcolm Offord, a Greenock-born Conservative peer, as the club’s new chairman.

Offord, who holds the title of Lord Offord of Garvel in the House of Lords, is said to be the leading candidate to replace John Bennett.

With John Gilligan currently serving as interim chairman, Offord’s appointment is expected to bring a sense of direction and stability to the club during this turbulent period.

Offord’s background makes him an intriguing choice for the role. He has a wealth of experience in the business world, having spent over 25 years in the City of London.

Additionally, Offord’s ties to education as a regent of Edinburgh University and his work as a trustee for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award further solidify his leadership credentials.

His expertise in navigating complex situations and his wide-reaching connections are seen as assets that could help guide Rangers through their current challenges.

Patrick Stewart Likely to Take the CEO Role

In tandem with the appointment of a new chairman, Rangers are also expected to hire Patrick Stewart, the former interim CEO of Manchester United, as their new chief executive officer. Stewart, who spent 14 years working for the Premier League club, brings a wealth of experience from his time at Old Trafford, where he held various key roles. His most recent position was interim CEO during the club’s transition following the takeover by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Stewart’s career in football began with UEFA’s marketing agency for the Champions League, and his role at Manchester United involved overseeing critical functions such as player contracts and high-value commercial deals. Stewart also serves as one of 14 arbitrators at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, dealing with football-related legal issues worldwide. His appointment as Rangers CEO would be a major move for the club as they look to stabilize their operations both on and off the pitch.

A New Era for Rangers Football Club

These dual appointments signal a new chapter for Rangers, with both Malcolm Offord and Patrick Stewart set to play pivotal roles in the club’s future. As Rangers look to recover from recent setbacks, the leadership of these experienced professionals could provide the stability and direction needed to steer the club back to success. The combination of Offord’s political and business acumen with Stewart’s extensive football industry experience offers a promising foundation for the club’s management structure moving forward.

Rangers fans will be watching closely as these changes unfold, hoping that the new appointments will bring a much-needed sense of stability and focus to a club that has experienced considerable upheaval over the past year. The upcoming months will be crucial for Rangers, as they work to ensure that the club can thrive both on the field and within the broader football landscape.