Rangers new owners to think ‘outside box’ for manager as Postecoglou claim made
Rangers are holding off the appointment of a permanent manager until the proposed takeover by 49ers Enterprises is finalised, but need to get to work soon.
A humiliating 2-0 defeat against St Mirren at Ibrox meant that Rangers were left with no choice but to sack Philippe Clement just days after it emerged that a consortium led by Paraag Marathe of 49ers Enterprises and Leeds United are in advanced talks over a takeover.
The Light Blues quickly installed Barry Ferguson as their new head coach until the end of the season, with the former captain leading them to a 4-2 victory over Kilmarnock on Wednesday, 26 February.
With discussions over the acquisition of a controlling stake still ongoing, a decision regarding Clement’s permanent replacement has yet to be taken.
Michael Gannon delivers Ferguson verdict amid 49ers takeover
The possibility of Ferguson remaining in charge of Rangers beyond this season has become a topic of conversation in some quarters, with Michael Gannon insisting that the decision will ultimately depend on the new owners and their visit for the Ibrox outfit.
He is personally of the view that the Glasgow giants must “think outside the box” to hire their new manager, citing Celtic’s appointment of Ange Postecoglou in 2021 as a prime example.
| Team | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goal Difference | Points |
| 1. Celtic | 28 | 23 | 3 | 2 | 67 | 72 |
| 2. Rangers | 28 | 18 | 5 | 5 | 34 | 59 |
The journalist tasked the prospective new owners with finding a manager who has a specific playing style and the ability to break down teams that make it “awkward” for the Premiership heavyweights.
“I think it all depends on the takeover, it depends on what they see the vision is for the club”, Gannon said on Daily Record’s Game On show (28 February).
“I think Rangers need to think outside the box, I think they need to go to a kind of Ange Postecoglou type of guy.
“A guy who knows it and has got a certain style that can beat down teams about, trying to be awkward against them in Scotland.”
Marathe breaks silence on Rangers takeover
There are no confirmations regarding a takeover yet, but it is certain that negotiations are at an advanced stage, going by all the media reports.
Speaking at the Financial Times’ Business of Football Summit on 26 February, Marathe broke his silence on the proposed takeover of Rangers, revealing that the 49ers are looking at opportunities to replicate what they have done at Leeds.
However, he remained coy on the prospect of coming into power at Ibrox, refusing to comment on “whatever rumours might be out there”.