- Englishman’s current duties at Everton are set to end once Premier League campaign finishes on Sunday, May 25
- As Rangers continue negotiations with prospective US owners, there is widespread recognition that Thelwell needs to start work as soon as possible
- Now his first task will be to identify and recruit the head coach who can take Ibrox club forward
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Kevin Thelwell is to lead the search for a new manager at Rangers – and will be asked to ensure the club are ready to hit the ground running for next season.
As exclusively revealed by Mail Sport last week, Thelwell has been appointed as the Ibrox club’s new sporting director.
The 51-year-old Englishman will take up his new role following the expiry of his contract with Everton.
Thelwell’s Goodison Park tenure officially runs until the end of June, but his duties will essentially come to an end once the Premier League campaign finishes on Sunday, May 25.
Rangers are still in negotiations with prospective US investors, with seniors figures from 49ers Enterprises having been in Glasgow over recent days.
However, there is a recognition among all concerned that Thelwell needs to get started as soon as possible due to the scale of the expected summer rebuild.
One of the first tasks for Kevin Thelwell, above, will be to identify and recruit a new Rangers head coach
Potential US investors including Paraag Marathe and Andrew Cavenagh were given a tour of Ibrox this week by Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart
Mail Sport understands that he will be entrusted with carrying out the recruitment process for a new head coach.
Thelwell will oversee the entire footballing operation – and his first task will be to identify the manager who can take the club forward.
With Champions League qualifiers in July, there is broad agreement on all sides that the club need to move as swiftly as possible.
Thelwell will arrive at Ibrox with a strong CV having worked previously with Wolves, the New York Red Bulls and latterly Everton.
Speaking after his appointment was confirmed last week, he said: ‘This is a huge honour for me to be joining a club with the size, stature and expectations of Rangers.
‘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.’
