RANGERS have SACKED Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell.
Chairman Andrew Cavenagh axed the double-act just five months after taking control of the club alongside the 49ers Enterprises.
Chief executive Stewart and sporting director Thelwell have been summarily dismissed and the process to appoint successors has already started.
Russell Martin also got the boot just 123 days into the manager’s job with Danny Rohl named as the new gaffer last month.
Thelwell and Stewart had joined the troubled club prior to the arrival of the new owners and had overseen the disastrous appointment of the former Scotland international defender who had been axed as boss of Southampton during the previous season.
AXED…Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell sacked today by the Ibrox club.
Questions have been asked of the club’s recruitment strategy over the summer, with several of their signings failing to impress, including £10million striker Youssef Chermiti from Everton.
Director Fraser Thornton will be acting CEO until a replacement for Stewart is found.
A club statement read: “Rangers Football Club confirms it has parted company with CEO Patrick Stewart and Sporting Director Kevin Thelwell.
“Rangers expresses its sincere gratitude to both Patrick and Kevin for their leadership and unwavering commitment to the club.”
Cavanagh continued: “Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell are leaving Rangers Football Club.
“Responsible change is measured and steady. Our first priority has been to improve the sporting performance, and that led to our decision to part ways with Russell [Martin] and bring in Danny [Rohl].
“Danny has now started the process of improving the on-pitch performance, and that has given us the chance to focus on other parts of the club.
HEADING FOR A FALL… Russell Martin during the goalless draw in the derby earlier in the season.
“Patrick and Kev are both skilled executives and have delivered a lot for the club in their time with it.
“We’ve now had six months since we became part of Rangers to assess the club’s needs as well as to get to know Patrick and Kev a bit more.
“Simply put, when we think about what we need in both CEO and sporting director today, it’s different than who we think Patrick and Kev are.
“We want people that align with the vision for the next chapter.”
Cavanagh added: “I will not throw dirt on either of them. I think very highly of them both on personal and professional levels.
“It’s just the reality that the club needs different things today than it did six months ago.
“We’ve already started the hiring process and hope to have appointments soon, but we will prioritise quality and fit over speed.
“I want to reassure our supporters that Danny will continue to have all the support that he needs. “
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