Rangers appoint PSV Eindhoven scouting chief Nils Koppen as director of football recruitment – with the 38-year-old tasked with overhauling the Scottish giants’ ailing transfer department
- Nils Koppen has been playing for PSV in the Eredivisie since 2018
- He previously worked with Rangers boss Philippe Clement in Genk
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Rangers have appointed PSV Eindhoven scouting chief Nils Koppen as the man to help lead the recruitment overhaul.
The 38-year-old has been with the Dutch giants since 2018 and worked in the academy and first team before becoming head of scouting.
Koppen will now move to Rangers on January 2 and take up the role of director of football recruitment. His appointment is not an equal replacement for sporting director Ross Wilson, who had a broader mandate before his departure to Nottingham Forest in April.
Koppen will instead bring his expertise to the Ibrox club's football board, which oversees strategy relating to squad planning, contracts and player trading.
Chairman John Bennett, CEO James Bisgrove, manager Philippe Clement, director of football operations Creag Robertson, medical director Dr Mark Waller and academy director Zeb Jacobs also sit on the football board.
38-year-old Nils Koppen has been playing for PSV Eindhoven since 2018
Koppen is not an equal replacement for sporting director Ross Wilson, who had a broader mandate before his departure to Nottingham Forest in April.
Philippe Clement's positive start as Rangers boss was interrupted by back-to-back draws against Aberdeen and Aris Limassol
Koppen previously crossed paths with Clement when he was in charge of Genk's youth academy recruitment during the 49-year-old's title-winning spell with the Belgian side.
In comments published alongside Rangers accounts last month, Bennett highlighted the importance of improving player recruitment and promised 'a strengthening of the leadership and processes of our football department specifically with this in mind'.
Koppen expressed his determination to help realize future profits in the transfer market, saying: 'I am delighted to be joining such a prestigious club as Rangers, in what is a crucial role for the club's forward-thinking strategy. '
Rangers also confirmed the appointment of Tom Taylor as the club's new head of performance. Taylor currently works at Brighton on December 22nd.