With Rangers having to pay compensation to remove Michael Beale, bringing in an unattached but top quality sporting director would help the bank balance – conveniently, Paul Mitchell has just left Monaco.
Reportedly a target before Ross Wilson was appointed in 2019 and as early as 2017, the 42-year old has a solid reputation across the continent and, more importantly, experience in elite football at Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, RB Leipzig and Monaco.
Monaco might shop in different markets to Rangers, however, Paul Mitchell will have been a key figure in their recruitment department and pivotal in safeguarding the Ligue 1 outfit’s future before departing, as announced by Fabrizio Romano.
Rangers shouldn’t pass on Paul Mitchell opportunity
Any sporting director worth their salt with be keeping a constant eye on up and coming managers and coaches.
Knowing who likes to play counter attacking football, those who are the pragmatists and those who really do take the handbrake off is crucial for the individuals making the decisions.
A board might have an idea of who the my want, they might even have agents and managers applying for jobs but this is where Rangers need someone like Paul Mitchell.
A sporting director has to be a filter for the board and have the contacts to ask about what the statistics and trophies can’t show.
What is their personality like?
Do they prefer the carrot or stick approach to management?
How do they handle pressure?
Rangers need to get a sporting director in, in an ideal world, one should have been appointed before the summer transfer window.
It might be too late to prevent Michael Beale from having free rein but Rangers should move quickly to land Paul Mitchell before someone else does.
