The Belgian’s exit will be confirmed on Monday and comes just six months after he was promoted to Technical Director

14:10, 01 Jun 2025Updated 15:35, 01 Jun 2025

Nils Koppen is set to become the first high-profile departure from Ibrox as Andrew Cavenagh kicks off his Rangers overhaul.

Record Sport understands the Light Blues’ recruitment chief is stepping down from his role as Technical Director as Gers’ new American regime begin work restructuring the club’s backroom operation.

The Belgian’s exit will be confirmed on Monday – just hours after Kevin Thelwell officially takes up his new post as sporting director at Ibrox.

Former PSV Eindhoven head scout Koppen joined Gers in January last year after being hired to lead the club’s hunt for new signings.

He was instrumental in the moves that brought in last summer’s big arrivals Jefte, Hamza Igamane, Robin Propper, Nedim Bajrami and Vaclav Cerny.

But those additions failed to change Rangers’ on-field fortunes as they finished a huge 17 points behind Double-winning Celtic.

His promotion to a wider role as Technical Director last November raised eyebrows amongst supporters given the struggles of the players he had helped recruit.

Rangers new director of football Nils KoppenRangers new director of football Nils Koppen(Image: SNS Group)

Now just six months later he is heading for the Ibrox exit.

Now it will be left to former Everton director of football Thelwell to lead the reshaping of the Gers squad.

He has already taken part in talks with some of the candidates hoping to replace Philippe Clement as the team’s new permanent manager but will step up his involvement having official moved into his office.

Cavenagh and his partners from the San Francisco 49ers completed their £75million Ibrox takeover on Friday and have pledged to make another £20million available to upgrade the squad.

It remains to be seen who will be the manager entrusted to spend those huge sums.

Davide Anecelotti remains the favourite to land the gig, with Russell Martin, Francesco Farioli and Brian Priske also in the running.

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