It's taken a while, but Rangers are edging closer to securing their next new sporting director
The club released it's annual report ahead of next month's AGM, in which chairman John Bennett stressed the importance of player trading: “Player trading will always be inherently volatile, yet Rangers must replace sporadic 'wins' with systematic success," he said. "It is a given that it all begins with player recruitment. This is an area of priority for your board, and we anticipate that the coming months will see a strengthening in the leadership and processes of our football department, specifically with this in mind.”
Essentially, business speak for a new DOF is top of the list and could be here soon. It could happen with a fortnight, but given it's been over six months since previous incumbent Ross Wilson left for Nottingham Forest, it has proven a methodical process. It's already overdue after Michael Beale's summer rebuild crumbled in front of him, the Londoner being sacked despite spending big on new faces to try and reel in Celtic. But who are the potential candidates to work alongside successor Philippe Clement on transfers?
Record Sport takes a look at who could be in the frame.
Dougie Freedman
The former Scotland international and current Crystal Palace sporting director has been linked with a move to Manchester United. Given the situation at Old Trafford and the uncertainty surrounding the Glazers, that could be one that he thinks twice about. Of course, that's not to say he'd prefer a move to Glasgow, but former Palace owner Simon Jordan spoke very highly of the Scot's abilities.
He told talkSPORT: "Dougie is a very bright fella and produced a wonderful football team for Palace that got them promoted in 2013. He fell out with Palace and moved on to Bolton and (Ian) Holloway picked up the remnants of his team and got them promoted.
"He's done a sterling job as a director of football and is a very canny commercial operator. I think he's very good, and you're as good as a director of football as you're allowed to be by the people that you work with. Given I don't think (current chairman Steve) Parish is not particularly great, I'm not going to be the most complimentary about the opportunities for Dougie Freedman to have flourished. But I actually a lot of what's been done at Palace in recent years and the decisions that have been made, Dougie Freedman is a very capable operator."
Richard Hughes
Another former Scotland international, the ex-Portsmouth midfielder is understood to be leaving his role on the south coast before the end of the year. The technical director has been in his role since hanging up his boots in 2014. Player trading appears to be his bag, having helped bring in the likes of Calum Wilson, Nathan Ake and Tyrone Mings before selling that trio for a combined total of nearly £90million.
That's while assisting in the building of Cherries squads that achieved promotion to the English Premier League in 2015 and 2022. Hughes also has strong links to and contacts in Italy and would appear to tick plenty of boxes based on what Bennett outlined in the Ibrox club's annual report. He namechecked as an option for Celtic when Eddie Howe hummed and hawed over a switch to Glasgow.
Paul Mitchell
The former Tottenham executive appears to be the favourite to land the gig at Manchester United when Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment is rubber stamped. But links to Freedman have thrown that into a little doubt, so there could be an opportunity for Rangers yet.
Mitchell worked with Clement at Monaco, so there is an existing relationship there. Of course, Ratcliffe's ownership of Nice in Ligue 1 means the pair's paths will more than likely have crossed as well. Mitchell also has Southampton on his CV, where he identified and signed Sadio Mane, before unearthing Sun Heung-min at Spurs, so he can spot a player.
Mitchell has reportedly been in Spain keeping tabs on Mason Greenwood while on loan at Getafe. That would suggest a move to United may be down the line. He has been linked with Rangers before though, so until confirmed at Old Trafford, he's likely to at least be a name under consideration.
Dimitri De Conde
Another who has previous with Clement. De Conde was technical director alongside Clement when he lead Genk to the Belgian title in 2018/19. He's been in the role since 2015, and had previously overseen the development and sale of current Aston Villa star Leon Bailey. Norwegian Sander Berge was a big part of the title winning side and has gone on to play in the English Premier League.
Other notable big money sales from Genk under de Conde's watch include Mike Tresor to Burnley, Paul Onuachu to Southampton, Leandro Trossard to Brighton and Ruslan Malinovskyi to Sampdoria, who all went, in addition to Berge, for a combined total of over €70million. There was also the transfer of a certain Ianis Hagi to Rangers in there.
That knack of buying low and selling high will appeal. Throw in the fact that he and Clement have proven to be a winning combination before, then De Conde could be a left field shout that makes absolute sense, if Rangers can get him.
Carlos Bocanegra
The former Rangers defender was a popular figure at Ibrox and since retiring has made the move up to the boardroom rather than follow the more traditional coaching path. He's been one of Atlanta United's decision-makers since 2015 and has moved up the ladder at the Georgia MLS franchise ever since.
He also holds the role of vice president, but his main responsibility is squad, or 'roster' building. Under Bocanegra, Atlanta have pivoted to signing younger designated players – those who aren't subject to salary caps – closer to their prime rather than ageing names winding down their careers.
His knowledge of the American and South American markets could see more hits than misses for Gers (more Morelos than Cifuentes), but he would also come with a strong understanding of what's required in Scotland.
