Malky Thomson to leave role as Rangers Women's manager after cup final and return to club academy

Rangers have announced that Malky Thomson will leave his position as head coach of the women’s team following the Scottish Cup final.

Thomson took on the role three years ago when Rangers moved to full-time professional football and was successful in leading the team to their first league title in 2022.

That success took the team into the Champions League, where Rangers won their group but were knocked out by Benfica.

In this season’s hard-fought title race, Thomson’s side went into the final day in a three-way battle with Celtic and Glasgow City for the trophy but agonising late defeat to City ended their dream of back-to-back triumphs.

He will now have the chance to end his time in charge on a high when Rangers face Celtic in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden on Sunday before he returns to a job in the club’s academy.

Incoming Rangers chief executive James Bisgrove said: “Malky has achieved historic successes and will be remembered as the coach who led us to our first-ever league title and first journey in the Champions League.

“When Malky was asked to leave his Academy role and become women’s head coach, he did so with great energy and enthusiasm. Phase one of our women’s football strategy was to create Scotland’s first full-time professional, fully-integrated team.

“Malky then led us through phase two, as we won our first-ever trophies, and the club had always agreed with him that, as we entered phase three of the strategy, he would return to his Academy position, where his experience will be invaluable.

“On behalf of the Board, I congratulate Malky for his fantastic contribution to the Women’s football programme. We will now commence the search for a new women’s head coach who will join Rangers in the summer.’’

“For now, the focus remains on finishing this season on a high, with the team aiming to win the Scottish Cup for the first time in our history.”