Danny Röhl Breaks His Silence After CEO Patrick Stewart and Sporting Director Kevin Thelwell Sacked in Stunning Rangers Shake-Up.

Rangers manager Danny Röhl has spoken out following the surprise departures of CEO Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell, insisting the focus remains firmly on the team as the club navigates a major leadership shake-up at Ibrox.

The Govan club confirmed on Monday that both Stewart and Thelwell had been relieved of their duties, with club director Fraser Thornton stepping in as acting CEO while a search for permanent replacements begins. Chairman Andrew Cavenagh and vice-chairman Paraag Marathe of 49ers Enterprises, who led the American-led takeover of Rangers earlier this year, will oversee the recruitment process.

The decision to axe the two top executives is likely to be welcomed by many Rangers supporters, who have been increasingly vocal in their dissatisfaction with the leadership of Stewart and Thelwell. Over recent months, some fans have gone as far as unfurling banners at Ibrox and during European fixtures calling for their removal, with their faces crossed out in red.

Röhl, who has overseen a notable improvement in the team’s performances since replacing Russell Martin, acknowledged the difficulty of such changes at the top of the club but emphasised that the squad remains fully focused on its on-field objectives.

> “Of course, it’s been a big day off the pitch,” Röhl said. “But my focus, and the focus of everyone in the dressing room, remains on preparing for our matches and giving our supporters the performances they deserve. Change is part of football, and we will adapt and continue to push forward.”

Rangers’ poor start to the Premiership campaign played a significant role in the board’s decision. The team won only one of their first seven league matches, prompting the dismissal of Martin. Since Röhl’s arrival, the team’s fortunes have improved, sitting nine points behind current league leaders Hearts with a game in hand.

Nevertheless, the board felt additional changes were necessary. Stewart, who joined Rangers as CEO just over a year ago, and Thelwell, appointed sporting director in April during the takeover process, faced criticism over the club’s transfer policy. Rangers spent over £20 million on new signings, including Portuguese striker Youssef Chermiti, Bojan Miovski, Oliver Antman, Djeidi Gassama, and Joe Rothwell. Chermiti’s £8.5m move from Thelwell’s former club Everton, in particular, has been a source of fan frustration, having scored only once since joining the club.

The departures of Stewart and Thelwell do not immediately affect other members of the leadership team. Technical director Dan Purdy, head of first-team recruitment Robbie Thelwell (Kevin’s son), chief scout Nathan Fisher, and incoming academy director John Hunter-Barrett from Wolves are expected to continue in their roles.

Chairman Cavenagh sought to strike a balanced tone when announcing the decision, praising both Stewart and Thelwell for their contributions while stressing the need for fresh leadership aligned with the club’s long-term vision.

> “Patrick and Kev are both skilled executives and have delivered a lot for the club,” Cavenagh said. “But when we look at the needs of Rangers today, it’s clear that we require a different approach. This decision is about the club, not personal shortcomings. Responsible change is measured and steady, and our first priority remains improving sporting performance.”

Cavenagh also addressed the process for hiring replacements, making clear that the club will prioritise quality and fit over speed.

> “We’ve already started the recruitment process and hope to have appointments soon. In the meantime, Fraser Thornton will assume acting CEO duties, and Danny Röhl will have all the support he needs to continue improving performances on the pitch. Change like this is always painful, especially when it involves people we care about, but we’re excited about the opportunity to bring in fresh leadership to this great club. We appreciate everyone’s continued support.”

Röhl’s comments highlighted the delicate balance between off-field turbulence and on-field performance, reassuring supporters that the squad remains united and focused.

> “We have a great squad and a passionate fanbase,” Röhl said. “Our responsibility is to ensure we stay focused on football and continue to improve every week. That’s what matters most. No matter the changes happening off the pitch, our goal is clear: perform for the supporters and challenge at the top of the league.”

The Rangers squad faces a demanding schedule in the coming months, including crucial Premiership clashes and European fixtures. Röhl’s emphasis on keeping the team grounded will be key to maintaining momentum, especially as supporters look for reassurance following the controversial shake-up at the executive level.

Fan reaction to the board’s decision has been mixed. While some have welcomed the removal of Stewart and Thelwell, believing the club needed a fresh approach after a disappointing start to the season, others have urged patience, noting that both executives delivered a number of key signings and laid groundwork for the current squad. Nevertheless, it is clear that the club intends to chart a new course both on and off the field.

Looking ahead, the priority for Rangers is to continue building on the progress made under Röhl while the club carefully identifies suitable replacements for the CEO and sporting director roles. With the team positioned close to the top of the table, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Rangers can sustain their challenge in the Premiership and make an impact in Europe.

In the meantime, Danny Röhl’s message is clear: while the board undertakes significant changes behind the scenes, the squad’s attention remains firmly on football, with performances and results taking centre stage.