Tom English casts doom over Rangers takeover, says some ‘haven’t a clue’
Rangers being taken over by 49ers Enterprises won’t bring about guaranteed results straight away, Tom English has said.
The American investment group are in advanced talks with the Rangers hierarchy over a huge buyout at Ibrox, and are expected to purchase a controlling stake of over 50 per cent for well over £50million.
Already owners of EFL Championship club Leeds United and San Francisco 49ers of the NFL, 49ers Enterprises are set to bring about sweeping changes in Govan with a huge cash injection on the horizon.
After watching Celtic pull 13 points clear at the top the Premiership and beat them in the League Cup Final, Rangers fans are desperate for new ownership to return them to the summit of Scottish football.
Rangers told what to expect straight away from 49ers Enterprises
Although the potentially arrival of a billionaire American consortium has understandably set pulses racing at Ibrox, Tom english has told Gers fans not to expect wholesale changes overnight from the 49ers.
After Kris Boyd wrote in the Scottish Sun (21 February) that the 49ers’ arrival at Ibrox could be a “revolution” with an impact similar to that of Graham Souness’ arrival in 1986, English responded.
Posting on X, the BBC Scotland journalist said: “If this deal goes through it’s going to take an awful lot longer than one season to fix Rangers.
“It’s potentially brilliant news for the club but anybody thinking this is a rapid panacea hasn’t a clue what’s going on.”
Rangers must be ready for long-term overhaul at Ibrox
While the modern nature of football – and particularly at a club which expects success like Rangers – is all about the here-and-now, it’s likely that 49ers Enterprises will have longer-term goals in mind.
A successful summer transfer window, with the takeover forecast to be completed by the time it opens in June, will be at the forefront for Rangers fans, particularly after last year’s disastrous business at Ibrox.
| Club | Rangers | Leeds United | San Fransisco 49ers |
| League | Scottish Premiership | EFL Championship | National Football League |
| Founded | 1872 | 1919 | 1944 |
| Stadium Capacity | 51,700 | 37,792 | 68,500 |
| Last league finish | 2nd | 3rd (lost in play-off final) | 1st (lost in Super Bowl LVIII) |
Ibrox itself, however, will certainly be in the backs of the 49ers’ minds going forward, with redevelopment expected further down the track in a bid to boost both capacity and revenue for the club’s coffers.
The 49ers were involved behind-ther-scenes at Elland Road for five years before eventually taking Leeds over in 2023, but immediately buying a controlling stake in Rangers suggests they mean business.
It remains to be seen what 49ers’ long and short-term plans are once the takeover is complete, and with catching Celtic the immediate goal for Rangers, issues such as Philippe Clement’s future will also be under scrutiny.