Dan Plumley

Wed 26 March 2025 11:40, UK

Rangers are flying under Barry Ferguson right now, but unfortunately, that has come too late.

Despite reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League and beating Celtic at Parkhead recently, the Bears are 13 points behind in the Scottish Premiership and out of both domestic cups.

With the 49ers Enterprises and Andrew Cavenagh agreeing on a takeover deal at Ibrox, big changes could be on the horizon at Auchenhowie and Ibrox.

49ers and Paraag Marathe to appoint huge new manager

Dan Plumley has insisted that a takeover is usually followed by a statement of intent, and a big-name new manager is likely at Rangers.

Marathe and the 49ers installed Daniel Farke as manager instantly at Elland Road, with no bigger name in the Championship, as an example of their power.

The football finance expert admitted that a shortlist is already likely in place at Ibrox, ready to appoint a high-calibre manager once the takeover is finished.

“I think that is the reality is that if this deal goes through and how it looks with Marathe and how he operated at Leeds United in the early stages,” Plumley exclusively told Ibrox News.

“It’s likely that Rangers will have a managerial shortlist lined up, and there will likely be some pretty big names on there.

“There is an almost necessity to that with the takeover, you need to almost back that up with a statement of intent and we know that getting a really high calbire manager, whether that is someone with loads of experience or an up-and-coming manager from the continent, it’s a clear statement of intent from the club.

“I think it’s likely, no disrespect to Ferguson, that Rangers have a shortlist in the wings if that deal goes off, and then it will be a case of working down that list and appointing a big name.”

Ferguson to wave goodbye

Despite having a brilliant impact in some huge games so far, handing an interim boss the permanent spot has rarely worked in the past in football.

Derek Ferguson exclusively told Ibrox News that his brother is unlikely to want to stick around as part of a coaching staff, and instead wants to be the main man.

The 49ers, Marathe and Cavenagh are looking to get their takeover across the line in plenty of time for the summer, with huge changes likely ahead.