Rangers legend Barry Ferguson has refused to rule out return to Ibrox as sporting director amid a major shake up at the club. Chairman Andrew Cavenagh has wielded the axe in the boardroom with Kevin Thelwell removed from the post on Monday.
CEO Patrick Stewart was also shown the door as the US tycoon and 49ers Enterprises kickstarted a major overhaul of the Scottish Premiership giants behind the scenes. The pair were responsible for the disastrous appointment of Russell Martin as gaffer and a £40million squad revamp.
The costly overhaul has proved to be a disaster as they were forced to axe the former Southampton coach after 122 chaotic days, with both Thelwell and Stewart the subject of fan protests amid nightmare results in Europe and domestically. The recruitment of Thelwell was also lambasted with the £8million signing of Youssef Chermiti from Everton leading the expensive summer lowlights.
Cavenagh has insisted that the club will not rush to replace the duo, despite the recruitment process already being underway alongside Paraag Marathe of 49ers Enterprises. With the January window fast approaching, boss Danny Rohl will be supported by director Fraser Thornton in a role as acting CEO.
But Ferguson has been floated as a potential contender for a role at Ibrox just months after leaving his post as interim boss with the Glasgow giants. Quizzed about taking the role, Ferguson left the door open.
He told the Go Radio Football Show: “Listen, in terms of my future I’m very comfortable what I’m doing at this moment in time. You can never say never. Listen, it’s a club that I think everybody knows what it means to me and I just want to see them being successful. That’s the main thing for me.”
Ferguson was then pressed on if he had already been asked about the role with the 49ers and Andrew Cavenagh declaring their search for Thelwell’s successor has begun. He replied: “No.”
He also heaped praise on Cavenagh for an abrupt change of course in the dugout and at an executive level after a lacklustre start to the season following the big-money American takeover: “You’ve got to be fair to the chairman over the last four weeks, he’s made three huge decisions.
“He’s changed the manager very early, it was his decision, and now two other high profile people at the club. He is very clear on what he wants to do and how he wants to do it, and if that means making changes so early in his time at the club he is going to make them if you don’t perform.”
Ferguson also lauded boss Rohl after he has steered the club to fourth in the Premiership after Martin’s calamitous tenure: “Danny Rohl has come in and he has improved results, certainly domestically.
“Disappointing result in the semi-final against Celtic but the second half performance was a lot better. European performances; have to pick them up.
“But in the short period of time since the new manager has come in they have certainly improved, and he has improved some of the players.”
About the Author
