PROPOSALS to remove Ally McCoist and the rest of the Rangers management team have been revealed in a document thought to have been written in March by an Ibrox investor as part of radical plans to overhaul the club.
The document, entitled Football Philosophy – the Way Forward, also reveals an ambition for Rangers to win a European trophy by 2020, aided by the appointment of a new director of football.
Johan Cruyff, Frank Rijkaard and Frank de Boer were all highlighted as ideal candidates for such a role, although there was also an acknowledgement that none would likely be attainable. The plans are now thought to have been shelved following Charles Green's exit from the club.
The document spoke about attracting a Scottish head coach to work with the director of football, and wondered whether supporters would turn their back on the club if McCoist and his coaches were to remain in place.
It said: "The Rangers fans will stick by the club and support us in their thousands, but only if they can see that there is progression. Right now, many questions are being asked about what is really happening at the club, and the biggest concern seems to be the style of football and coaching theory.
"With the fans on board, and a transparent policy of how their cash is being reinvested into player development, they will continue to pay. Rangers have an amazing opportunity to use the huge fan base and ask them to spend on products and services that will ultimately benefit Rangers.
"However, fans will only pay if they are happy with the on-field activities, and right now the majority of fans are not happy. There is a big risk that if the current coaching regime remains, then fans will stop coming and we will see half of the season ticket sales we had this season. Change is required . . . and this starts with a big decision."
The proposals also spoke of introducing a brand of "total football", based on the Spanish tika-taka, from youth level right up to the first team. Other successful European clubs, such as Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund, would also be emulated.
"All players would be coached on this proactive style of football, and we would only recruit players who are prepared to work hard at their game and play as part of the team. This would require some major changes to current attitudes within the club, and would no doubt result in some casualties. The current staff costs are high for the level of football we currently play, so if these were cut then there would not be a large financial investment required to invest in a new system.
"Some success stories across Europe are Ajax, Dortmund, Porto and Swansea. There are many articles available on these clubs, and it would be useful to visit these clubs to study how they developed their strategy and made it happen."
The document also revealed that a share of any transfer fees raised would be paid to the management team. "Coaches would be rewarded by winning trophies, but the largest reward would come in the form of a percentage of the profit made by selling star players. This would then give the coaches a clear objective of player development knowing that they can benefit from a player who 'makes it'."
A Rangers spokesperson, however, questioned the validity of the story. "Rangers receive suggestions almost on a daily basis and we try to acknowledge them with a degree of respect and courtesy. However, we are astonished that the BBC has chosen to give credence to this one."
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