---
title: "Iain King joins Rangers as Soccer Academies Manager to overhaul youth pathways"
canonical: "https://readrangers.com/2026/09/16/andrew-cavenagh/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
section: "Rangers News"
published: "2026-09-16T15:12:18Z"
modified: "2026-09-16T15:12:18Z"
---

# Iain King joins Rangers as Soccer Academies Manager to overhaul youth pathways

Rangers have appointed former Airdrieonians chief executive Iain King as the club’s new Soccer Academies Manager ahead of an October start at Ibrox Stadium.

The administrative addition signals the practical rollout of the youth development strategy championed by the consortium that took a controlling 51 per cent stake in May 2025. King arrives to modernise the domestic youth pathways, bringing extensive experience across Scottish club administration and North American grassroots coaching.

## Overhauling The Youth Player Pathways

Domestic development remains a central pillar of the current ownership model, seeking to build reliable transitions into Derek McInnes’s first team. The club has recently highlighted successful academy integration, with forward Ryan Naderi [finalising international allegiance](https://readrangers.com/2026/09/16/rangers-forward-ryan-naderi-expects-czech-republic-call-up/) and another teenager earning a [rapid Scotland Under-21 promotion](https://readrangers.com/2026/09/16/rangers-forward-kyle-glasgow-earns-first-scotland-under-21-selection/) following an impressive loan spell.

King began his professional career in sports journalism before shifting to football administration as a club chief executive in Scotland. After departing Airdrieonians, his subsequent career pivot involved extensive player development work in Canada. King served as a senior technical coach for North Toronto Nitros before advancing to regional directorship roles with United DFC and Soccer Cape Breton.

Rangers News exclusively reported that the veteran developer will officially assume his position during the first week of October.

Rangers next travel to face Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.