In a surprise move, Rangers have appointed former Liverpool left-back Stig Inge Bjornebye as a temporary football consultant and advisor.
In the absence of a sporting director, due to Kevin Thelwell’s dismissal in November after just six months in the post, Rangers have turned to the ex-Reds player, Bjornebye, as a makeshift replacement.
Starting the role immediately, his contract is to last six months and sees him take on the role of football consultant and advisor, reporting to chairman Andrew Cavenagh.
“Head coach Danny Rohl will also be involved in transfer planning, alongside Bjørnebye, and the recruitment team,” said Sky Sports News.
“The appointment of Bjørnebye is not seen as an interim sporting director role.”
BERLIN, GERMANY - Sunday, August 7, 1994: Liverpool’s Stig Inge Bjørnebye during a preseason friendly between Hertha BSC Berlin and Liverpool FC at the Olympiastadion. Liverpool won 3-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The 56-year-old, who was in attendance at Anfield for Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Brighton, has been serving as sporting director at Danish club Aarhus GF.
Before joining Aarhus in 2021, he spent four years in the same role at Rosenborg, during which time the club won four Norwegian titles, three Norwegian FA Cups and reached the Europa League group stages on three occasions.
Following his retirement from playing in 2003, he spent three years as assistant manager for the Norwegian national team and subsequently took charge of IK Start for one season.
Stig Inge Bjornebye’s Liverpool career
Bjornebye joined Liverpool in 1992 off the back of scoring the winning goal in the Norwegian cup final for Rosenborg.
Of his entire 184 appearances in Liverpool colours, his debut was arguably the worst from a collective point of view, with Graeme Souness’ side losing 5-1 at Coventry just before Christmas.
Thankfully, brighter days lay ahead after a couple of years adapting to life at Anfield.
The 1994/95 campaign was the year in which he really broke through, thriving at full-back in an attacking setup under Roy Evans.
Unfortunately, the Norwegian’s progression took a serious hit when he suffered a broken leg in April, as his studs caught on the turf.
He fought back with character, though, and got back to his best for the 1996/97 season as Liverpool pushed for the title.
His performances merited a place in the Premier League team of the year alongside fellow Reds Mark Wright and Steve McManaman, as Liverpool finished fourth, level on points with Newcastle and Arsenal, seven points behind winners Man United.
That was to be the high point of his Anfield career as Gerard Houllier decided to look elsewhere for his left-back, sending him on loan to Brondby in January 2000.
Six months later, he joined Blackburn permanently where he would enjoy three years, playing 67 times until retiring in 2003.