Rangers have finally set the wheels in motion to rebuild the club, starting with a solid foundation behind the scenes.
The offices in Ibrox have been sitting empty for much of 2024 with Philippe Clement’s position as manager not exactly stable either.
The appointment of Patrick Stewart as CEO is a good place to begin given his experience at Man Utd, in more ways than one.
The CEO lesson Patrick Stewart learned at Man Utd
Not only does the former Glasgow University law student have a stellar CV and insight into the inner workings of elite level football, but he is also used to working in a chaotic environment – perfect preparation for the Old Firm goldfish bowl.
The Athletic has had a number of reports provided by sources from within Man Utd, cooperating on the proviso that anonymity was given.
One of these was that former CEO Richard Arnold was prone to fantastical statements:
“Many staff members in the room were baffled and exasperated in September when Arnold claimed in an all-staff meeting that United were ‘chasing down’ Manchester City, last season’s treble winners, despite the two clubs rarely seeming further apart on the pitch,” claimed the report.
“Arnold’s seeming complacency appeared to embody a feeling among the executive team that United were heading in the right direction.”
Another statement from Arnold, claiming that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had delivered “phenomenal success”, despite a trophyless tenure, suggests that Stewart was up against it within the walls of Old Trafford.
What is Stewart’s priority as Rangers CEO?
The standards and expectations at Rangers are exactly the same as Man Utd, as are the current levels of performance on the pitch.
Stewart’s priority, is to implement an off-pitch strategy and structure that makes delivery in terms of success on the pitch more likely.
Man Utd haven’t been short of money in terms of spending power or revenue and, in relative terms, neither have Rangers.
What Stewart has to get right is where Arnold went wrong at Man Utd.
Fans aren’t stupid, the gap to Celtic has rarely been bigger, in the trophy room and in the boardroom.
