Southampton confirm departure of Ross Wilson who leaves to take on sporting director role at Rangers

Southampton have confirmed Ross Wilson has left the club to take up the role of sporting director at Rangers.

Wilson, 36, has been director of football operations at Southampton for the past four years and turned down the same role at Ibrox two years ago, opting instead to remain with the Saints.

#RangersFC are today delighted to confirm Ross Wilson as the new Sporting Director: https://t.co/kaT0w0yrbD pic.twitter.com/W4aAvufFdy

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) October 14, 2019

In a statement on their club website, Southampton thanked Wilson for his hard work during the time he spent at St Mary’s.

“From the moment Ross made me aware of the opportunity to return home to Scotland, it was clear that this was an opportunity he could not turn down at this time,” CEO Martin Semmens said.

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“I would like to put on record, on behalf of everyone involved in the club, our thanks for the tireless hard work and energy Ross has given to Saints over the last five years. Ross will leave the club with our best wishes on Tuesday 15th October.

“As the club has made clear over the past six months, we are reviewing all our football and non-football operations, to make sure we are best placed to enable a successful future for The Southampton Way. We will now seek to appoint a new Football Director in keeping with this vision for the club.
“We will update our fans when we can on any future appointment.

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“For now, the expert and experienced team around Ralph Hasenhüttl will continue to support him to drive the team forward and up the Premier League table.”

Wilson, who helped bring in, among others, Virgil van Dijk, who was then sold to Liverpool for £75m, has said he leaves the club a Southampton fan.

“It has been a privilege to work for Southampton FC. In good times and in more difficult times I have enjoyed the challenge working alongside our outstanding staff with whom it has been so energising to work with behind the scenes.

“I will be forever indebted for their work, unwavering support and friendship.
“The club will continue to move forward with a strong board in place and an excellent Manager in Ralph Hasenhüttl driving the team. Our Academy has a proud tradition and is heading in a positive direction and delivering players for the First Team.
“Finally, I moved to the South Coast with no connection to Saints but leave a Saints fan, having made friends for life at the club. This is a special football club and I am proud to have been part of it.”

from Premier League Football Fixtures and Results - talkSPORT https://ift.tt/2IOh1dO