What I provide below is a quick review which I have touch-typed from a recording - I believe the Rangers Review will do a full translation. So therefore any errors, misinterpretations, shortenings etc are my own mistakes. This is not a verbatim transcript.
Rangers new Chairman Fraser Thornton and Patrick Stewart faced the press today. Fraser talked very briefly at the beginning and the end and made the point that everything Patrick was going to say is fully supported by the Board. Fraser also said that any and every decision he will take part in will be with the best long term interests of the football club at heart.
Patrick mentioned off the record briefing in December seems a long time ago now. I know there’s been a lot of talk about results and the manager. Spotlight is on Fraser and myself but I am ok with that need to make tough decisions but Im ok with that it comes with the role. Need to make decisions that are right for Rangers not just the popular ones.
We are backing backing Philippe at this time as a Board. Its about taking deeper look at the issues and focussing for stronger future for the club. Changing a manger is not a silver bullet solution. Where I worked previous that was not effective and it’s not effective at a lot of football clubs. What I and the board and I need to do is address the underling issues.
Lot of supporters comments - one that jumped out at me was its about the manager and others saying it’s not just about the manager its about several years performance and it’s deep-rooted. I agree with that.
Managers and coaching staff will come and go - but what I want to do is build solid foundation with a real football plan for the club - if we react every time there are bad results we are bad to where we were 12 months ago. I’m not saying everything is fine Fans are frustrated I get that, I’ve been a football fan my entire life, we are all frustrated and particularly with away results, it’s not good and its not what is exited and we are working with Philippe to address consistency issues.
Also not going to speculate what happens if results don’t improve. I’ve spent time with Philippe discussing need for results to improve. If they don’t I can;t give him an cast iron guarantees, hand I have been around long enough to know that, likewise I’m not going to get into how many games he has to save his job - it’s abutting identifying the reasons for inconsistency.
To be clear sticking with Philippe is not about trying to avoid a tough decision, if anything changing he manager would be the easy decision as fans calling for that I have seen the statements, that would be easy but long term perspective and putting the clubs best interests, and not mine, thinking about club first. It is very much about right decisions for the long term success of the club. Again Philippe understand that - he is committed and I have worked with several managers and he is hard working and committed as any i have seen - always first on training ground, always thinking about improvements. He is committed to bring success to the club and we are committed -but it is a result orientated business
Talking about longer term success - I met with all the FOotball Department at Auchenhowie last Tuesday. It was primarily to into myself to them. Was also to inform them we are doing a root and branch review of the entire football department - everything is in score and it starts on Monday. If we are honest as a club we need to look at everything and the club has not been where it wants to be for several years. So reviewing everything.
Want to ensure we have structures in place to succeed. And make fans proud. Need a plan tha tis joined up from eh training ground to the board and we have processes that join it up from first team to academy to women. Investing people - best people for the club and let them develop. Want to make long term successes built on culture. That is directed to winning - build success as a habit.
Happy to pause and take questions.
Q Some would suggest that you won’t dispense with the manager right now because the club can;t afford it.
A We wouldn't make any decision based on a manager on financials, absolutely not, that’s not in the best long term interests of the club. Everything is long term. We have good revenues, we have record revenues. This isn’t a financial decision.
Q Is it a concern amongst the support that anger has given way to apathy - Supporters Association not particularly vocal but they are first to speak out. How big a coneren is it the fans disengage - talk about not turning up on Sunday.
A I agree supporters - no club can be successful without having an engaged supporter bas, and the Rangers supporters base is huge and not one we take for granted. The easy decision would be to change the manager because that is what some supporters are calling for. But I’m not her for the easy decisions - I am here to create long term success. I want to talk to fans but we can;t have the short term quick fixes that have been applied in the past and not worked. Got to dig deeper and of it quickly - I have initial impressions which I won’t share as I don’t want to preempt the review but there will be mule reasons otherwise we’d have found answers sooner. This is about taking step back and doing this to create long term success not jus the odd trophy jere and then.
Q If results don’t improve will your position change?
A Football is results based and not offering any guarantees to length of tenure - Philippe and I have had that discussion. It would be foolhardy to retain any employee regardless of results.
Q What make you and the board think it will get better under Philippe?
A I’ve been here 5 or 6 games - several good perofmnances against very strong teams so you can see what the team is capable of. Some players in summer 24 and Jan 24 and loans these players have gone from question marks to performing well. So there is confidence in recruitment but it comes down to consistency. How can we change that.
Q Board backing Philipe but if the trend continues does the club have a successs plan in place?
A Every good club has one for all positions - we are introducing that across the board not just manager and chairman etc. We always need one.
Q Fans are angry about this - what support are you giving PC because there is a years record of poor performances and it’s not working - are the board to help him?
A Fans right to do so and look at last 8/9 months there is lot of instability and expecting anyone to work to full capacity where there is instability. Have talked about review but can also look at short term. Spent lot of time with PC and these are the discussions that haven’t been there for some period of time - I do have some sympathy for him - people need challenged and supported and that perhaps has not been there in the organisation for some time.
Q Will further external finance be required and do you have assurances from shareholders that you will have the backing?
A Every club is looking at long term finance.
Q If Philippe can only bring in one or two players in January how does he feel about that?
A No club should be in the position after the summer window to have to do massive business in January. That would be irresponsible. Discussing all the time with Philippe, me the board - there is a healthy tension of maybe yes and maybe not. He challenges me and I challenge back - but we are aligned on putting the club first in the long and short term.
Q Can you share any more on the review - lot of these in the past with not a a lot coming out of them. FOotball people or management consultants.
A Not just another internal review which will take an inordinate amount of time that no-one ever reads. Eternal football people with experience. To drive growth and success. They will provide firepower and experience. WIll be impartial, no agenda. Has to be executed.
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