Rangers and Leeds United complication arises as Sky Sports share takeover latest
Sky Sports have shared a potential Rangers and Leeds United complication that could arise as 49ers Enterprises’ takeover at Ibrox edges closer to completion.
Rangers are on the cusp of a brand new era in Glasgow after a deal was agreed in principle for 49ers Enterprises to take a controlling 51 per cent stake in the Ibrox club, spearheaded by Paraag Marathe.
Marathe is also the chairman of Leeds, whom 49ers Enterprises own roughly 90 per cent of, and as a result, talk of Rangers and the Whites entering into a multi-club agreement has been mooted.
The Light Blues’ season on the domestic front has spiralled out of control, with a third home defeat on the bounce at Ibrox over the weekend, and Rangers fans the world over are hoping for a clean slate as soon as possible.
Gordon Duncan shares ‘difficult’ Rangers–Leeds scenario
Rangers and Leeds both being controlled by the same ownership group is hardly a unique situation in the modern world of football, with multiple team across Europe and the globe now part of multi-club models.
However, speaking on Sky Sports News (3 March, 1:05pm), journalist Gordon Duncan explained the potential stumbling blocks which could await if the 49ers make big strides with both the Gers and Leeds.
| Club | Founded | Ground Capacity | Competitions | 2023/24 League finish | League position |
| Rangers | 1872 | 51,700 | Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup, Scottish League Cup, UEFA Europa League | 2nd | 2nd |
| Leeds United | 1919 | 37,900 | EFL Championship, FA Cup, EFL Cup | 3rd (lost in play-offs) | 1st |
Duncan said: “Leeds and Rangers are both massive clubs with a proud history and expectant fanbases, so it will be interesting to see how that dynamic works. You can run into one or two difficulties.
“If Leeds get back to the Premier League, then into European competition, it becomes a little more complicated as far as UEFA are concerned.
“But when you look at others examples, such as Manchester City and Girona, Manchester United and Nice, UEFA have not quite given up, but there are various workarounds.
“It’s not impossible for both [Rangers and Leeds] to both play in Europe were that to happen.”
Rangers can provide perfect environment for 49ers to thrive
While the prospect of both Rangers and Leeds playing – and potentially meeting in a 1992 throwback – on the continent is a possibility at some point, it’s much more likely to happen at Ibrox than Elland Road.
Rangers have been European regulars throughout their top-flight history and have done their part to carry Scottish football on their backs in recent years, maintaining the country’s coefficient almost on their own.
Although Rangers’ 2-1 defeat to Motherwell on Saturday leaves them closer to third-placed Hibernian in the table than Celtic at the summit, they’re still on course for a chance at Champions League football.
Losing their play-off to Dynamo Kyiv at the start of the season saw them miss out on a financial windfall which Celtic have used to their advantage, but Rangers’ successes in Europe cannot be understated.
That’s exactly what the 49ers will be looking to build upon once they take charge at Ibrox this summer, and with Leeds facing a much steeper battle, Rangers can give their new owners a foothold in Europe.