Ibrox’s latest “promotion” has gone down like a lead weight with The Peepul.

The news that Ibrox has promoted Nils Koppen from Head of Recruitment to Technical Director—a role that puts him in charge of virtually every aspect of the football operation—has caused quite the stir. Comparisons will inevitably be drawn with our recent appointment of Paul Tisdale as Head of Football Development, but there is a critical distinction: Tisdale is enormously experienced. He has managed clubs, held technical director roles, and worked as a consultant, bringing a wealth of expertise to the job.

Koppen’s promotion, on the other hand, has gone down like a lead balloon amongst the Ibrox support. The forums and social media channels have been alight with criticism, and it’s not hard to see why. His record is there to scrutinise, and it’s not a particularly glowing one. For the last 12 months, Koppen has been in charge of their transfer strategy, a period marked by a string of underwhelming signings. Their fans are far from impressed with his work, to the point where many were hoping he’d be among those cleared out in any executive reshuffle.

Instead, he’s been handed even more power. This is someone who went from being a scout at PSV to one of the most influential figures at Ibrox in just a year—a meteoric rise that has left their support frustrated and deeply sceptical. What’s worse, he’s now taking on responsibilities for areas in which he has no experience. Little wonder their fans are concerned.

Meanwhile, the media is doing its best to put a positive spin on things. The Daily Record ran with a laughable headline about Koppen wanting the club to “compete for every trophy,” as if this were some profound insight or bold declaration. But let’s be honest: what club doesn’t want to compete for every trophy? Without a concrete strategy for getting there it’s just talk.

And what plan has outlined? Not one they are liking the sound of, not so far anyway. This isn’t the rallying cry their fanbase was looking for—it’s a hollow platitude that’s left them underwhelmed and unimpressed.

The appointment feels like the kind of decision a club in chaos makes.

Instead of seeking someone qualified from outside, they’ve simply promoted from within, and worse, Koppen is retaining his previous role as Head of Recruitment. This means he’s now juggling two demanding positions, which is a recipe for disaster.

This move also confirms what many of us have suspected: their strategy and philosophy have shifted dramatically. The talk about signing young Scottish players signals an end to their days of lavish spending. They’re clearly pivoting towards a more modest, developmental approach, and that’s not going to sit well with a fanbase accustomed to grandiose ambitions.

At a time when nothing at Ibrox seems popular, this decision is yet another misstep. The board is struggling to connect with their supporters, largely because of a combination of incompetence and a lack of trust. Koppen’s promotion only adds to the sense of disarray.

We’ve seen this story before. James Bisgrove, previously their Head of Finance, was promoted to Chief Executive, a move that sparked its own controversies. Whether or not you hold him responsible for the disastrous state of the stadium, his tenure has been characterised by poor decisions, including questionable managerial appointments.

In any organisation, overloading one individual with too many responsibilities is a bad idea. At Ibrox, where things are already messy and volatile, it’s an even bigger gamble. This has all the makings of a car crash, and it’s hard to see it ending well.

For us, though, it’s another case of “pass the popcorn.” The Banter Years just roll on and on.