‘Kevin Thelwell latest from Rangers is concerning’ – Keith Wyness
Rangers have announced Kevin Thelwell’s appointment as their new sporting director once his departure from Everton is finalised.
The 51-year-old has built a good reputation in difficult circumstances at Goodison Park having previously done solid work with Wolves.
Thelwell will be a key part of the Rangers rebuild with US-backed investors set to take charge at Ibrox in the coming weeks and months.
The club have confirmed he will “assume overall responsibility for all areas of the football operation, including men’s, women’s and academy”.
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has revealed his “concern” with the appointment of the Englishman.
Wyness ‘hoped for more quickfire appointments’ at Rangers
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness suggested Thelwell could struggle to put a complete scouting and recruitment set-up in place at Rangers.
As well as his time with Wolves as sporting director, he also spent time as Head of Sport at New York Red Bulls – overseeing the sporting strategy and operations across their Major League Soccer team and affiliated clubs.
Wyness claimed Thelwell is an “upgrade” but insisted he expected “bigger moves” throughout the recruitment team.
| Club | Role | Tenure |
| Wolves | Sporting Director | 2016 – 2020 |
| New York Red Bulls | Head of Sport | 2020 – 2022 |
| Everton | Director of Football | 2022 – 2025 |
| Rangers | Director of Football | starts June 2025 |
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Kevin is a lovely guy, he did a great job at Everton in very difficult circumstances.
“He’s very well respected in the game and has a great network. It is an upgrade for Rangers.
“My concern would be that they haven’t announced his whole backroom team at the same time.
“Is he the right man to put all of that in place? I’d have to question whether he is.
“Success will depend on putting the right team together. One appointment, as good as he is, isn’t the answer to everything.
“There’s a lot more with Rangers that is wrong right now.
“It’s a start, but I’d hoped for more quickfire appointments – which haven’t been forthcoming.
“If they’re relying on Kevin to do all that, then fair enough. But I expected bigger moves by now.”
Rangers new manager will be given big backing
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed (20 April) that Rangers’ new manager will be given the financial backing needed to close the gap on Celtic this summer.
Football Insider revealed last month that the Glasgow giants will wait to make an announcement on a new manager until after the final day of the season.
Barry Ferguson is in interim charge at Ibrox but is not expected to get the permanent job.
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