Manchester United appear to have chosen Rangers-linked Paul Mitchell as the club’s new Director of Football.
Reports in the Telegraph are suggesting that the ex-Southampton and AS Monaco board member is about to join the club amid Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment.
The British billionaire is set to buy around 25% of Manchester United with a Director of Football first port of call after seasons of spending with little return.
But whilst what’s happening at Old Trafford would have little impact at Ibrox, these links to Paul Mitchell come at an interesting time in Rangers’ own hunt for a new Director of Football.
Rangers Director of Football hunt goes on
Whilst the club are keeping their cards close to their chest with regards who is in the running for the appointment, Rangers are clear it’s coming.
Incoming CEO James Bisgrove suggested an appointment is “imminent”, firstly at the unveiling of new manager Philippe Clement and then again at the inaugural fans’ forum at New Edmiston House.
Rangers chairman John Bennett then alluded to the appointment of a new Director of Football in his accompanying statement to the club’s latest accounts.
Player trading – the so-called “fourth pillar” of the Gers’ business model – is the buzzword of the moment in Govan and the Board are demanding consistent results after years of mixed returns.
More than just point to the imminent appointment of a director football, it also suggests the Rangers hierarchy are confident that whoever is to be selected can deliver.
But who that might be is a mystery with little more than a combination of names – who either raise eyebrows or disappear as quickly as they appear – coming out of Ibrox.
What does this have to do with Paul Mitchell and Manchester United? Well, the former Monaco executive was one of those names linked to Rangers just last month.
Manchester United help rule out Paul Mitchell
In the aftermath of Philippe Clement’s appointment a potential Ligue 1 reunion with Paul Mitchell was mooted in the Scottish Sun as a legitimate possibility.
The Englishman was most recently named alongside the liles of Brighton’s Sam Jewel, ex-Norwich chief Stuart Webber and Liverpool staffer Alex Inglethorpe as potential candidates.
Earlier in the search – which has been going on since April – names such as Steve Morrow, Carlos Bocanegra and Craig Moore were doing the rounds.
Nothing has built up a head of steam with any of these guys – at least not in the same way Paul Mitchell to Manchester United has – and the situation has Rangers fans a little perplexed.
But as Rangers fans wait on an official update, or news to break, on who their new Director of Football will be, at least we can now rule another name out.
