Rangers takeover silence broken as Ibrox board and 49ers issue joint statement and key appointment confirmed

Rangers have appointed a new sporting director while confirming that "productive conversations" are taking place with the US consortium at the centre of a proposed takeover bid.

Kevin Thelwell is currently employed as director of football at Everton, a role he has held since February 2022, although he is set to depart Goodison Park when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The 51-year-old will then take up his Ibrox post and assume "overall responsibility for all areas of the football operation, including men’s, women’s and academy", Rangers confirmed in a statement.

Thelwell previously worked at Wolves, working his way up from academy director to director of football, while his CV also includes a spell as head of sport at New York Red Bulls.

Kevin Thelwell (left), director of football for Everton, with former club owner Farhad Moshiri. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) | Getty Images

“This is a huge honour for me to be joining a club with the size, stature and expectations of Rangers," Thelwell told the club website. "From the first conversations, it was clear to me how ambitious the club is, and I’m excited to play a part in shaping its next chapter.

“I know how much Rangers means to so many people, and that brings both responsibility and motivation. Rangers needs to win. That’s the bottom line. There’s a strong foundation already in place, and I look forward to working closely with the teams across the men’s, women’s and academy programmes to build something that delivers consistently.

“Of course, there’s important work ahead, especially in men’s first-team structure but we’ll approach it with energy and purpose. While change takes time, I’m confident that we can make real progress. I can’t wait to get started.”

Rangers moved to recruit a sporting director after a root and branch review of football operations identified filling the vacant position as a matter of priority.

Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart, who led the pursuit, said: “I am delighted to be welcoming Kevin to the club following a rigorous recruitment process.

“Our Football Review quickly identified the need to appoint a Sporting Director, and in Kevin, we have found an outstanding candidate with terrific experience in the Premier League and the MLS.

“It will be the role of Kevin, with the full support of myself and the board to lead our football department and deliver the results our supporters expect and deserve.”

US Health tycoon and prospective Rangers investor Andrew Cavenagh (left) and Gretar Steinsson during the recent Old Firm match at Celtic Park. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group) | SNS Group

Rangers are likely to be under new ownership by the time Thelwell takes up his post. Healthcare tycoon Andrew Cavenagh has launched a joint bid to secure a 51 per cent majority shareholding in the Ibrox club alongside the San Francisco 49ers investment arm, 49ers Enterprises.

Both Cavenagh and Gretar Steinsson, who works for the 49ers, attended Rangers recent Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Bilbao at Ibrox as well as last month’s Old Firm derby at Celtic Park.

Talks are understood to have reached an advanced stage, with a deal agreed in principle that will see Rangers fall under new ownership in time for the start of next season.

An ongoing silence from both parties with regards to the progress of the deal had led to concerns among supporters that the talks had potentially hit a snag. However, in a joint statement issued on Wednesday evening, both Rangers and the incoming investors confirmed that discussions remain on track.

The statement read: "Rangers and its existing controlling shareholders are in productive conversations with the two lead members of the Consortium, Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises Global Football Group, about the potential for the Consortium to acquire control of the club and to inject additional capital.

"These discussions reflect a shared recognition of the importance of Rangers FC's long-term direction, ambitions and management."

Rangers are set to become the second British club to enter into partnership with 49ers Enterprises after the group took full ownership of Leeds United in 2023.