Rangers

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

When 49ers Enterprises completed a much-anticipated takeover of Leeds United in July 2023, the situation was far from rosy.

The West Yorkshire club had been relegated from the Premier League after a chaotic season featuring four different managers, and fans had been left in the dark after relegation was confirmed with a defeat by Tottenham Hotspur seven weeks prior.

There was no permanent manager following the conclusion of Sam Allardyce's short-term deal, and no sense of what the squad would look like for the season ahead.

And yet, two years on, they are a top-flight club once more.

Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe will now become vice-chair at Rangers after a US-based consortium completed their much-anticipated takeover, but what can the Ibrox club expect from a deal involving the 49ers?

CHOOSING THE RIGHT MAN

Marathe and co selected the right candidate to guide Leeds back to the Premier League and picking the right head coach is unquestionably the top priority for the new Rangers leadership.

Many a highly-rated manager has crumbled at both Ibrox and Elland Road given the expectation that comes from those two fanbases.

Daniel Farke had a track record of success in the Championship and was entrusted to do so again at Leeds, reaching 100 points and claiming the title in the 2024-25 season.

CANNY RECRUITMENT

United have recruited well under Marathe's leadership.

Crysensio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and the club's hottest prospect Archie Gray all left in the summer of 2024 after a play-off final defeat by Southampton.

Those sales demanded another rebuild, but Leeds cannily put together a squad that kicked on to new heights.

Influential centre-back Joe Rodon's loan deal was made permanent, while Jaden Bogle and Ao Tanaka were hugely impressive after signing for relatively low transfer fees from Sheffield United and Fortuna Dusseldorf respectively.

The side became less reliant on individual quality and functioned better as a unit in manager Daniel Farke's second season as manager.

SHUNNING THE SPOTLIGHT

Unlike previous regimes at Elland Road, Marathe is not a man to seek the spotlight.

He prefers to conduct business behind closed doors, only occasionally providing statements on club matters. What you do see is a polished, confident individual with a track record of success at high-profile sporting institutions.

Technical director Nils Koppen is set to depart Rangers after just six months in the role. (Record), external

Former Everton head of recruitment Dan Purdy will replace Koppen at Ibrox. (Rangers Review), external

Davide Ancelotti, 35, has told Rangers he is ready to step away from being father Carlo's assistant and be a success as a manager in his own right. (Record), external

Ancelotti is confident he can attract big-name players if he takes over at Ibrox. (Football Insider), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

Image source, Getty Images

Having admired the work he did at Swansea City, Lee Trundle reckons Russell Martin would be "a brilliant fit" for Rangers.

Martin spent two seasons with the Welsh club before moving to Championship rivals Southampton in 2023.

He took the Saints to the Premier League via the play-offs but lost his job in December after just one win in 16 top flight games.

Now the 39-year-old is among the favourites to take over at Ibrox.

"He's a very clever manager," Trundle told Sportsound on BBC Radio Scotland. "I think he'd be a brilliant fit for Rangers.

"Man-management is probably one of his strongest points. Everyone at Swansea loved playing for him. He's honest with his players, he tells them what he needs."

Trundle, who starred for Swansea and now enjoys an ambassadorial role for the club, added: "You need to get the right players in for the way he wants to play. It's football from the back to front, fans need to be patient at times with the build-up.

"I don't think he has a plan A or a plan B, it's just the way he sees football. He thinks that is how the game should be played and he sticks with it.

"When you get it right, there's no one better to watch.

"At Southampton, when they were losing games, of course fans are going to be frustrated. He did really well with them to get them to the Premier League but then you go up another 100 steps."

Davide Ancelotti's move to Rangers as manager is 99% done. (Sestaporta, external, in Italian)

Rangers may spend big in an effort to back prospective new boss Ancelotti. (Football Insider), external

Meanwhile, Rangers' new owners plan to invest in the club's academy. (Team Talk), external

Wolfsburg's financial issues may boost Rangers' hopes of signing Vaclav Cerny, 27, on a permanent deal following his loan spell at Ibrox. (Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

We asked for your thoughts of the takeover of Rangers by an American consortium and what the new owners' priorities should be.

Here's what some of you said:

Mark: Hopefully this is the start of good things. Might take a few transfer windows to get everything in a strong position and hopefully see some stadium expansion as there's over 15,000 on the season ticket waiting list.

Ian: New era. Lets hope they stick with a long-term manager with proper plans, values and understanding. We are a huge club which has been rudderless, appointing poor quality managers and worse player recruitment. I'm confident we will be back at the top soon. We were not a million miles away and we certainly have the measure of the others across the city.

Sally: Great news for club and fans and investment welcome. Manager situation needs immediate attention and I would favour Davide Ancelotti. He has the potential to attract young footballing talent.

Stephen: This has to be considered a positive step for the club, probably something that's been needed for a long time. Bringing in people with a proven track record promotes confidence, and that's something Rangers have badly missed. I think the fans should back this 100%.

Luke: I'm absolutely delighted that it's taken place. I do feel that they're the right people to take the club forward, there's so much unrealised potential. I would like to see a calm and measured approach to upgrading the club and the playing staff. The other teams should rightly be worried, 49ers Enterprises have proved through their Leeds involvement that they don't muck around, so it's gonna be a lot of fun!

Les: Great news. Rangers have been pretty stagnant since they got back to the Premiership via the lower leagues, playing second fiddle to Celtic. Hopefully new investment and a new manager will take them back to where they belong.

Peter: Hopefully we've now not only got the cash needed to completely rebuild the team to bring the title and trebles back to where they truly belong at Ibrox. But I'm also hoping we can get a really good player trading model in place so that we can start making a profit instead of all these huge annual losses. Big news and just thankful it's now over the line so we can bring a good manager and decent players in. Looking good for the future right now and I'm excited.

Chris: Very impressed with the opening message from Andrew Cavenagh. We have been through many false dawns before, but I believe this time those sentiments mean the club will move forward and end Celtic's domination.

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Rangers' new leaders Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe say their "first priority" is to appoint a new head coach.

An American consortium, led by Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, are now in charge at Ibrox after buying a majority stake in the club and have pledged to invest £20m this summer.

Kevin Thelwell, who will officially join as sporting director from Everton on Monday, has been working in the background on the search for a head coach along with the new owners, with Davide Ancelotti the frontrunner and Russell Martin also in the frame.

In an open letter to fans, chairman Cavenagh and vice-chairman Marathe said: "We are proud to be entering a new chapter for this extraordinary club. This moment is the result of months of thoughtful discussions with club leadership and our shared confidence in Rangers' success going forward.

"To that end we'd like to tell you a bit about our thinking.

"Simply put - our goal is to win trophies in Scotland and be able to compete at a high level in Europe, while laying a foundation of financial sustainability for the future.

"As our first step, we are investing fresh capital into Rangers, which will be strategically deployed on and off the pitch.

"While we recognise the importance of resources, we believe that thoughtful, disciplined investment, guided by a clear strategy, is the path to enduring success.

"Every decision, whether sporting or business, will be made with the club's long-term success and sustainability in mind.

"We aim to leverage the full strength of 49ers Enterprises' sporting expertise and operational experience, and are confident in Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell to lead this next phase.

"Our first priority together is clear: hiring a new men's head coach. That process is already well under way, and we look forward to sharing more updates soon. We will also look to invest in talent for our teams.

"Moving forward, we are reconstituting the board to bring in a few new voices and skill-sets. We all owe a special thanks to the previous board for their service. They stepped up in a difficult moment when the club needed them and laid the foundation for what comes next.

"Above all, we know that true success comes from understanding and honouring what makes this club special. In our time getting to know Ibrox, Glasgow, and you, we've felt the pride, history, and passion that set Rangers apart.

"You have made it clear what this club means to you, and we take the responsibility of leading this club seriously."

Chris McLaughlin
BBC Scotland sports news correspondent

Image source, SNS

Given the months of speculation, the takeover announcement comes as no surprise, but what it does give us is the first glimpse of what the new consortium are all about.

The fans have been forced to endure another season of Celtic dominance but, for them, the impending takeover has provided some light at the end of what has seemed like a tunnel with no end.

This is a fanbase bruised and battered by placing faith in saviours who, in recent years, promised a lot and delivered little. They should be forgiven for casting a suspicious eye over any group or individuals who claim that this time it will be different.

In that respect, the new group have said very little so far, but the news of a £20m investment - the vast majority of which, I've been told - will go on football operations, will be broadly welcomed.

Those who hoped the entire might of the San Francisco 49ers would be thrown at Ibrox on day one might, perhaps, be disappointed. However, that was never going to be the case.

It is £20m the club didn't have last week, but will it be enough to provide the immediate success the supporters crave?

Throwing money at footballing problems is only part of the answer. This new group feel their expertise will be as important as their financial muscle, and that will be interesting to monitor going forward. The takeover announcement is a milestone on a much longer journey.

Now it's about laying the rest of the path and proving with actions that they'll deliver what the fans have demanded for so long - the dominance of Scottish football.

A new era has begun at Rangers.

An American consortium, led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, has taken control of the Ibrox club and promised £20m of investment in football operations this summer.

American health tycoon Cavenagh will replace Fraser Thornton as Rangers chairman, with 49ers Enterprises president - and Leeds United chairman - Paraag Marathe joining as vice-chairman.

Rangers say the new consortium's vision for the club will prioritise "on-pitch performance and long-term financial sustainability".

Rangers fans, what is your initial reaction to the takeover? Pure positivity or are there any reservations? And what should the new owners' priorities be this summer other than appointing a manager?

Share your views here.

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Andrew Cavenagh has expressed his determination to "bring Rangers back to where it belongs - at the top" after his American consortium completed its takeover of the club.

"We are deeply grateful for the trust placed in us by the Rangers board, shareholders, staff, and supporters," said Cavenagh, who will be ratified as Ibrox chairman next month.

"This club's history and traditions speak for themselves, but history doesn't win matches. We know that the true way to honour the club's heritage will be to drive performance. Our focus is simple: elevate performance, deliver results, and bring Rangers back to where it belongs - at the top."

Paraag Marathe, who will hold dual roles as Leeds United chairman and Rangers vice-chairman, said: "At 49ers Enterprises, we have built a track record of sporting and business success, but our driving motivation is our deep connection to the clubs and communities we serve.

"We are excited to join Andrew and our other consortium of investors in a new era for this iconic club, and we are determined to build something that supporters can be proud of for years to come."

Fraser Thornton, who relinquishes his role as Rangers chairman but remains on the board, said the new ownership "represents a significant step forward" for the club.

He added: "The incoming shareholders bring not only funding but also deep expertise in strategic planning, infrastructure development, and sporting excellence.

"On behalf of Rangers, I also want to put on record our appreciation to the outgoing board members who have selflessly served the club. I also want to acknowledge our major shareholders whose backing has brought the club to this point, the vast majority of whom have chosen to reinvest in the club and continue with us on the next stage of the journey."

Rangers have spoken to Francesco Farioli about becoming their new manager and the former Ajax boss will rival Davide Ancelotti and Russell Martin for the chance to replace Philippe Clement. (Scottish Sun), external

Steven Gerrard is out of the running to make a return to Rangers because the timing was not right despite positive initial talks. (Rangers Review), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Rangers could appoint Davide Ancelotti as their new head coach by the end of this week, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

The Ibrox club held fresh talks with the Italian last week as they seek a permanent successor to Philippe Clement, who was sacked in February.

Chief executive Patrick Stewart is leading the recruitment process amid Rangers' ongoing takeover process and Balague says Ancelotti is the leading candidate.

"That's my understanding and for Davide, it's the first choice," Balague told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland.

"There is a waiting period here, because I've got the impression he would like everything wrapped up in the next few days.

"If Rangers delay, there are other options for him, including joining his father Carlo with Brazil. He has decided to be a number one and Rangers are his first choice.

"News could happen this week. That is off the back of the last meeting in London. If we reach 5 June, it might be too late and Davide might look somewhere else.

"We're talking about somebody who is going to have a very good career in football. He has been crucial in the period that Carlo Ancelotti has been at Real Madrid."

Balague also clarified comments he made regarding legendary Croatia midfielder Luka Modric and a potential move to Glasgow.

"It was a bit of a teaser," he said.

"What I said was that Luka was asked and he didn't commit to anything. The point was that Davide has access to big talent.

Image source, SNS

Robbie Fraser says he's ready to "kick on" and make an impact at Rangers after helping Livingston to promotion.

The 22-year-old full-back made 23 appearances for the Lions after joining on loan in January and played every minute of their play-off campaign as David Martindale's men secured a Premiership return at the first attempt.

Now he has returned to Ibrox eager to impress whoever is appointed manager.

"I thought the level of the Championship was extremely high," Fraser told the Rangers website.

"It's a really demanding league and very competitive. Even going into the play-offs and then playing against Ross County, there's not a great deal between the bottom half of the Premiership and the top half of the Championship. It shows you how competitive Scottish football can be.

"It was exactly what I wanted - to go out and prove myself. I firmly believe I'm capable of playing for Rangers.

"I'll firstly enjoy my break and switch off, but I'll be preparing as hard as ever to go in as ready as I can be.

"There's a lot of excitement and fresh eyes, so it's about keeping myself in the best shape possible and trying to impress.

"I feel in a much better place in all parts of my game. I've got the games under my belt and have experience, so I'm in a good place to go and kick on at Rangers."

Major shareholder Dave King thinks Steven Gerrard is the "obvious choice" to become the next Rangers manager, saying the Englishman has "unfinished business" at Ibrox after leading them to one league title already. (Rangers Review), external

Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard looked to be leading the race to replace Philippe Clement in the Ibrox dugout but has now been overtaken by Davide Ancelotti, who has left his role as Real Madrid assistant. (Daily Record), external

Rangers will finalise a new manager appointment after their US-backed takeover by Leeds United owners 49ers Enterprises is ratified and confirmed - and former Real Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti is the prime candidate and front-runner to be appointed. (Football Insider), external

Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard will join TNT Sports' panel for coverage of Saturday's Champions League final between Internazionale and Paris Saint-Germain but remains favourite to return to the Scottish Premiership club as their new head coach. (TalkSport), external

Rangers' interest in out-of-contract Dundee midfielder Josh Mulligan is on hold until the Ibrox club appoint a new head coach, but the 22-year-old has other options, with Charlton Athletic and Salford City also interested. (Daily Record), external

Trabzonspor are locked in talks with Wolfsburg about a £9m move for winger Vaclav Cerny – £3.5m more than the reported cut-price fee Rangers could have paid at the end of the 27-year-old's loan at Ibrox. (Daily Record), external

Djurgarden winger Oskar Fallenius, 23, has been scouted by Celtic and Rangers for several matches. (Fotbolldirekt, external in Swedish)

Sunderland are interested in bringing Jordan Henderson back to his hometown club, but the 34-year-old midfielder is also wanted by Rangers and two Serie A outfits as he considers leaving Ajax this summer. (Mirror), external

Colo-Colo midfielder Vicente Pizarro is not on Rangers' radar despite reports of interest in the 24-year-old Chilean. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers scored his third goal for Nigeria to help his country to a 2-1 win over Ghana in the Unity Cup semi-final at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford.

The 30-year-old, earning his seventh cap, gathered a low cross from Remo Star right-back Sodiq Ismail on his chest after a slip from Razak Simpson and slotted home coolly from 12 yards after just 15 minutes.

Dessers' second Nigeria goal had also come in London in a 2-1 win over Ghana, from the penalty spot, in the same friendly competition a year ago.

This time, Nations centre-half Simpson deflected the ball into his own net for Nigeria's second goal and, although Coventry City forward Brandon Thomas-Asante prodded in a reply from eight yards with 20 minutes remaining, it was Dessers' side who progress to the final.

The Unity Cup holders will face Jamaica, who beat Trinidad & Tobago 3-2 on Tuesday, at Brentford on Saturday - new head coach Eric Chelle's fourth game in charge.

Former Rangers midfielder Steven Davis says it is "hard to envisage himself not being back at the club in some capacity in the future" amid speculation linking him with a backroom role with the Scottish Premiership giants.

The 140-times capped Northern Ireland international has been mooted as part of a potential coaching ticket should former title-winning manager Steven Gerrard return for a second spell in charge of the club.

Gerrard has been one of a number of possible contenders linked with the vacancy at Rangers in recent weeks, although it is reported that Davide Ancelotti has held talks with the Ibrox club, with further discussions planned over the next few days.

Davis had two spells at the club as player, making a total of 239 appearances.

The 40-year-old was put in temporary control of first-team affairs following the departure of former manager Michael Beale in October 2023.

He was caretaker boss for two games, a Europa League defeat by Aris Limassol and a league win over St Mirren, before Philippe Clement was appointed to the position on a permanent basis.

"At this moment in time it's only rumours. I haven't heard anything else," said Davis of speculation linking him with a coaching role under a new Rangers boss.

"Obviously the club are going through the process in terms of who they are going to appoint as manager.

"If the opportunity comes up it's obviously a club that's obviously very close to my heart, so let's see what happens in the next few weeks."

Davis, currently part of Michael O'Neill's backroom team with Northern Ireland, would welcome a return to the club he holds in great affection at some stage.

"For me it's hard to envisage me not being back at the club in some capacity in the future whatever that may be, but you just don't know in football," he added in an interview with BBC Sport NI.

"You can't sort of plan that, you just have to wait for the opportunities and then once you have a decision to make then you make the decision.

"Ultimately I want Rangers to be successful, they had another difficult season, but hopefully they can get back to winning trophies next season."

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Ninety-four days have passed since Rangers sacked Philippe Clement, yet the wait goes on for the Ibrox club to appoint the Belgian's permanent successor.

Former club captain Barry Ferguson took the reins for the remainder of the season, and despite memorable wins away to Fenerbahce and Celtic, the ex-Scotland midfielder's interim spell fizzled out with the Govan side's miserable season.

Speculation on who the next Rangers boss will be continues to swirl amid takeover talks, with Davide Ancelotti, Steven Gerrard, Russell Martin and Brian Priske all heavily linked.

On the lengthy search, former Rangers forward Rory Loy told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast: "I think Rangers would have liked to have somebody in place by now.

"They'll have known for quite some time that Ferguson wasn't going to be the man to take them forward. Contract talks these days can sometimes rumble on for weeks and weeks. They'll want to avoid that.

"But you've got to balance that up with getting the right man in the door. I'm surprised at this moment in time that they don't have somebody in place.

"In terms of how it's going to work from top to bottom, Rangers may feel that the summer signings will come from above and it'll be a coach to work with the team, so having the manager in place at this moment in time maybe isn't as important.

"But it's always nice to get a head start if you're going to be appointed as the manager."

American health tycoon Andrew Cavenagh, who is the driving force behind the proposed takeover of Rangers, will meet the frontrunners for the Scottish Premiership club's head coach job - departing Real Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti and former Southampton boss Russell Martin - this week. (Daily Record)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.