Revealed: How long Kevin Thelwell will be given by Rangers
Rangers have endured a dismal start to the season so far, leading to ongoing turmoil behind the scenes after Russell Martin was sacked.
Interim boss Steven Smith’s side limped to a 2-2 draw with Dundee United at Ibrox on 18 October, with the result coming thanks to a late equaliser from James Tavernier.
That meant the Glasgow club have now won just one of their opening eight league games this season, despite losing just one, having drawn six times.
Serious questions have been asked about the on-pitch situation, leading to Martin‘s dismissal, with Rangers’ search for a new manager ongoing.
However, the manager was not the only one to come under pressure, as sporting director Kevin Thelwell has been slammed for their poor transfer market activity.
Kevin Thelwell’s position at Rangers under questioning
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 13 October, Thelwell’s position at Rangers is under scrutiny, with his tenure marked by the disastrous appointment of Martin.
Sources say that Ibrox chiefs have given Thelwell a less central role in the search for a new manager as they could slowly phase out his influence.
However, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, a decision on his future is unlikely to be made until closer to the end of the season, and he will be given the January transfer window to redeem himself.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “Yeah, I don’t think they’ll rush into making any decisions on the recruitment team at Ibrox.
“Obviously they’re coming under a lot of scrutiny right now because of their disappointing form and the early departure of Russell Martin.
“Some of those summer signings have struggled and not been living up to expectations. So obviously that brings a bit of heat on Kevin Thelwell and the recruitment team as well.
“But I don’t think the Rangers hierarchy are sort of panicking just yet, or will make any knee-jerk decisions.
“They need that recruitment team with Thelwell in there ahead of the January transfer window to see what can be done to improve their situation.
“I think maybe there’ll be more of a decision or verdict made by the Rangers hierarchy come the summertime, with how things are progressing and how they feel the recruitment team have done including Kevin Thelwell.
“But yeah I think his job is safe for now even though he has come in for a bit of fire from the fans due to their poor form and obviously question marks over some of the signings.”
The director of football joined from Everton at the start of the summer, but must soon prove his worth before Rangers begin searching for a new sporting director.
Rangers managerial search ongoing after latest twist
Thelwell arrived alongside Martin, leading to increased pressure following his dismissal, with their search for a new boss hitting multiple hurdles.
Rangers have already been turned down by Steven Gerrard, while Sean Dyche ruled himself out of contention and Danny Rohl also pulled out following positive talks.
Thelwell is taking the majority of the blame for not getting the deal over the line, and that, coupled with his failures over the summer, has seemingly proved enough for the hierarchy.
Now, Rangers appear to be closing in on Kevin Muscat as their next boss, despite ongoing complications surrounding his appointment should they opt to go ahead with it.
Rangers may have to wait to appoint Muscat, who is leading his Shanghai Port side in a title race, with three games remaining until the end of their league season.
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