John Bennett has stepped down as chairman "with immediate effect due to health reasons"; former Ibrox chairman Dave King is keen on a return to the club; ex-director John Gilligan is in temporary charge; Rangers searching for new chairperson and CEO
Monday 16 September 2024 23:11, UK
Former Rangers chairman Dave King has offered to return to the role, following John Bennett's decision to step down due to health reasons.
King - who is the largest shareholder at Ibrox with a 14 per cent stake - would only want to take up the position for two years and help find new investors.
Rangers are currently working to identify a permanent successor to Bennett, with former director John Gilligan taking temporary charge.
Gilligan was part of the consortium led by King that took control of the Ibrox club in March 2015.
Bennett, 61, took over from Douglas Park in 2023 after three years as vice-chairman and eight years on the board.
It is understood Bennett will remain a shareholder and significant investor in Rangers, but it is unlikely he will return to the board.
He oversaw the appointment of manager Philippe Clement in October, following Michael Beale's sacking.
Rangers are currently without a chief executive following James Bisgrove's summer departure and are yet to play at Ibrox this season because of delays to improvements.
After four games at Hampden Park they will return to Ibrox for Saturday's League Cup tie with Dundee.
A statement from the club said: "The board of Rangers Football Club today announces chairman, John Bennett, is stepping down with immediate effect for health reasons.
"The board wants to sincerely thank John for his service and significant commitment over the last nine years and wishes him a full and speedy recovery. It is requested his and his family's privacy is respected at this time.
"Former director, John Gilligan, will temporarily fulfil the role of chairman until a permanent replacement is appointed.
"The board thanks John for stepping in at short notice and believes his experience in senior business roles throughout a long and successful career, and also, as a former director of Rangers, will be invaluable at this time.
"The board is undertaking a robust process with the help of professional advisors to fill the roles of CEO and Chairperson. In the meantime, the club's executive management team will continue to lead the club on a day-to-day basis."
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