# Patrick Stewart Breaks Silence on Damning Club Decision to Remove Kevin Thelwell as Fans Are Thrown in the Mix
**Glasgow, October 14, 2025** – In a seismic shift at Ibrox, Rangers FC is poised to sack sporting director Kevin Thelwell amid a dismal start to the season, with CEO Patrick Stewart finally addressing the controversy. The move, described by insiders as a “damning verdict” on the club’s recruitment strategy, has ignited fury among supporters, thrusting fans into a heated debate over the club’s direction under American ownership.
Thelwell, 52, joined Rangers from Everton in the summer of 2024 as part of a bold overhaul led by Stewart, who had been hunting for a football chief since February that year. Backed by the 49ers Enterprises consortium—mirroring their stake in the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers—the appointment was hailed as a coup. Thelwell brought proven pedigree from navigating Everton’s financial storms, overseeing £226 million in player sales against £145 million spent to keep the Toffees afloat in the Premier League.
But Rangers’ form has been catastrophic. Eight games into the Scottish Premiership, the Gers languish in sixth, 15 points adrift of rivals Celtic, with just two wins. Manager Russell Martin’s tenure ended in February 2025 after a dismal record, replaced by Barry Ferguson on an interim basis. Off-field woes compound the crisis: an external review exposed flaws in football operations, and fan protests have swelled, decrying “Everton rejects” infiltrating Ibrox.
Stewart, a former Manchester United executive whose own Red Devils stint drew criticism, broke his silence in a club statement yesterday. “This decision was not made lightly,” he said, his voice steady but eyes weary in a rare video address. “Kevin arrived with immense experience, and we’ve valued his contributions. However, in the unforgiving world of elite football, results demand action. We’re committed to rebuilding trust with our supporters—your passion fuels us. Expect announcements soon on interim leadership and a fresh recruitment drive.”
Fans, long simmering, erupted. On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #StewartOut and #ThelwellFlop trended, with one supporter venting: “Patrick Stewart wrecked Man Utd, Thelwell sank Everton—now they’re gutting Rangers? Get them out!” Another lamented, “Thelwell’s son as head of recruitment? It’s a family affair gone wrong. Ibrox deserves better.”
The backlash underscores deeper tensions. Thelwell’s Rangers signings—young talents like Jake O’Brien and loanees from Everton’s youth setup—have flopped, yielding zero goals in key matches. Critics point to a “scattergun” approach, echoing Everton’s pre-Thelwell chaos, while PSR-like financial fair play rules in Scotland hamstring spending.
As Stewart’s words hang in the air, Rangers face Dundee united this weekend—a must-win to quell the storm. Will this purge restore glory, or signal further fracture? For now, the faithful are left grappling with betrayal, their loyalty tested like never before.
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