In a recent managerial shakeup at Rangers, Philippe Clement assumed the role of manager, and the search for a suitable Director of Football was underway. James Bisgrove and John Bennett, leading the recruitment effort, turned to a familiar face to assist them in this endeavor: Graeme Souness, a Gers legend.
Despite Graeme Souness not making a return to the club as a direct contributor, his passion for Rangers remained evident. Even though discussions with the board did not materialize into a formal role, Souness showed his eagerness to aid in finding a replacement after the removal of Michael Beale from his duties.
Former teammate Nigel Spackman, who was signed for Rangers by Graeme Souness during his illustrious playing career, shared his thoughts on the matter. Spackman believed that the vacant Director of Football position should be offered to the retired Sky Sports pundit, as he expressed to The Daily Record. Spackman’s endorsement underlines Souness’s reputation as a respected figure within the football community.
Spackman conveyed his opinion to The Daily Record, stating, “When it comes to the owners, I would be saying, ‘whatever Graeme wants us to do, let’s do it.’ Graeme has a wealth of experience in football. He’s obviously been involved in football for his entire life at every single level.”
He continued, “I think if you look at the last few years, recruitment has been poor and that is perhaps an area they might look at. It’s not about noticing the likes of Kylian Mbappe or Victor Osimhen at Napoli and seeing they are world class. It’s about searching in different markets and unearthing players who might not be the most expensive but can be polished up to do the business and then become assets. It’s a difficult process, but that’s what Rangers have to aspire to, and I’m sure Graeme can help in that respect.”
A Director of Football plays a pivotal role in a football club and needs to possess a comprehensive understanding of modern data and scouting techniques. Additionally, they must have an extensive network of connections throughout the football world, encompassing clubs, agents, and other sporting directors.