Rangers’ prospective new US owners will be busy in the first few weeks of taking over at Ibrox in appointing a new sporting director and manager.
Rangers are in the midst of an overhaul on and off the park with all eyes on the club’s new executive team, a potential new management team and the continuing Ibrox squad rebuild.
But whilst things are moving in the background in the US, the most important appointment in the months ahead will be in that sporting director position.
Rangers are unlikely to appoint a new permanent manager until the position is filled, with CEO Patrick Stewart admitting the club are on the hunt amid a wide-ranging internal review.
Here are five names that we’ve identified as potential sporting director options as Rangers continue to reshape how they’re run on and off the park.
Carlos Bocanegra
Former Rangers captain Carlos Bocanegra is one of the USA’s most decorated and celebrated footballers.
Having made 110 caps for the US national team, Bocanegra the player had stints in the US, England, France, Scotland and Spain.
Bocanegra spent nine years with MLS side Atlanta United and served as technical director up until leaving the club in September last year.
Given the imminent US takeover of Rangers, Bocanegra’s current contract status and the fact the former USMNT captain knows Ibrox, the Jackal is a strong candidate.
- Previous experience: Atlanta United: Technical Director (2015-2024)
- Age: 45
- Employment status: Available
Stuart Webber
Stuart Webber was subject to conflicting reports surrounding Rangers back in November 2023.
Rangers have been without a sporting director since Ross Wilson left the club in April 2023 and Webber was touted as being the man to replace him.
Some reports have claimed that Webber turned Rangers down, whilst others claim that the Gers never actually offered the Welshman any role.
But whatever the case, Webber remains one of British football’s most experienced executives with a solid C.V.
Webber started his career in the youth set-up at Wrexham before moving to Liverpool as director of recruitment in 2009.
Going on to spend time as the head of scouting at Wolves and then QPR, Webber has since had back-to-back spells with Huddersfield Town and Norwich City as a director of football and then sporting director.
With over 20 years of experience at the top of the English game, Webber is available and is another who would tick a lot of boxes.
- Previous experience: Wrexham: Head of Youth (2002-2009), Liverpool: Director of Recruitment (2009-2012), QPR: Head of Scouting (2012-2013), Wolverhampton Wanderers: Head of Scouting (2013-2015), Huddersfield: Director of Football (2015-2017), Norwich City: Sporting Director (2017-2023)
- Age: 40
- Employment status: Available
David Weir
When we talk about the likes of David Weir, things start to get a little more complicated.
The former Rangers captain is an Ibrox Hall of Famer and was Mark Warburton’s assistant during the ex-Brentford boss’ stint with the club.
Weir has started making a name for himself with Premier League upstarts Brighton, the club’s technical director a key part of the revered Seagulls recruitment team.
Weir has been linked with a return to Everton recently so Rangers could face competition but with the club in need of a sporting director, the ex-Gers skipper is a popular choice.
But with Weir one of the most sought-after names south of the border, it might take something special to tempt the former Ibrox veteran north.
- Previous experience: Sheffield United: Manager (2013), Brentford: Assistant Manager (2013-2015), Rangers: Assistant Manager (2015-2017), Nottingham Forest: Assistant Manager (2017), Brighton: Technical Director (2019-)
- Age: 54
- Employment status: Employed
Dougie Freedman
Crystal Palace director of football Dougie Freedman is another high-performing executive currently plying his trade south of the border.
The former Scotland international striker is synonymous with the Eagles and prying Freedman away from Selhurst Park would be a sizeable challenge in of itself.
But give Freedman is a boyhood Rangers fan, we wonder if there is anyway Rangers might try and tempt the former hitman back to Scotland..
Crystal Palace are another club who’ve been wheeling and dealing south of the border, the London outfit signing a number of youthful players with big potential in recent seasons.
Freedman is certainly another long shot but a it’s a name worth keeping an eye on.
- Previous experience: Crystal Palace: Manager (2011-2012), Bolton Wanderers: Manager (2012-2014), Nottingham Forest: Manager (2015-16), Crystal Palace: Sporting Director (2017-)
- Age: 50
- Employment status: Employed
Darren Fletcher
Former Scotland captain and Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher is one of the most prominent Scottish footballers of his generation.
A mainstay in Sir Alex Ferguson’s United side, Fletcher had world class composure and a sense of leadership which has often been missing from the Ibrox boardroom, never mind the pitch.
Currently working in the Manchester United coaching set-up, some reckon Fletcher has the demeanour and style that would maybe fit a move upstairs.
With Sir Jim Radcliffe in the midst of transforming things at Carrington, perhaps a fresh opportunity at Rangers could tempt Fletcher back to Glasgow.
Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart will also be well aware of the midfielder from his time with Manchester United but there is one sticking point; Fletcher grew up a Celtic fan.
- Previous experience: Manchester United: First Team Coach (2021-),
- Age: 41
- Employment status: Employed
