Rangers next manager: Huge Barry Ferguson exit claim emerges
San Francisco 49ers’ investment arm, 49ers Enterprises, is poised to complete a takeover of Rangers.
This move signals ambitious plans to restore the 55-time champions’ dominance in Scottish football.
A verbal agreement has been reached but the deal is yet to be rubber stamped.
Barry Ferguson must not stay put at Ibrox beyond the summer
Daily Mail journalist Calum Crowe has issued his verdict on Barry Ferguson being the manager post the takeover.
In his view, retaining Ferguson as permanent manager post-takeover would send the wrong message about the club’s vision and standards.
He wrote: “If Rangers were to upset the odds and knock them out, it would rank as just a big a shock as when Valverde’s Barcelona side blew a three-goal lead at Anfield in a Champions League tie in 2019.
“It still wouldn’t alter the fact that Ferguson cannot possibly be given the job next season if the club are serious about moving forward.
“The prospective new US owners, if and when the takeover deal is completed, cannot be seduced and suckered in by the emotion and sentiment of whatever Ferguson does in Europe.
| Stat | Rangers | Athletic Club |
| Possession (%) | 29 | 71 |
| Shots | 4 | 19 |
| Expected goals | 0.14 | 2.37 |
| Accurate passes | 142 | 477 |
“Rangers need calm heads and a clear vision of how to move forward. Ferguson’s main policy of shouting at his players in the hope of provoking a reaction will only last for so long.
“Realistically, the best hope for Ferguson is that Rangers go out on their swords, give a decent account of themselves, and then finish the league as strongly as possible.
“Beating Celtic for a second time when they visit Ibrox on May 4 would then be top of his agenda. If he can do that, he could walk away with his head held high.
“But any notion of him still occupying the manager’s seat come the start of next season is for the birds. Regardless of what happens in Bilbao and beyond.”
While he is a Rangers legend with 431 appearances and 15 trophies and has shown promise as interim manager with notable wins against Fenerbahce and Celtic, his managerial track record lacks the depth required for a club of Gers’ stature.
His previous stints at Clyde, Kelty Hearts, and Alloa Athletic yielded mixed results and a single Lowland League title as his standout achievement.
Appointing him permanently risks signalling a reliance on sentimentality over strategic ambition, potentially undermining the 49ers’ goal of transforming the Ibrox outfit into a powerhouse capable of challenging Celtic’s recent dominance, which includes 12 of the last 13 Scottish Premiership titles.
Ferguson’s lack of top-tier managerial experience and tactical sophistication could hinder Rangers’ ability to address persistent issues like inconsistent domestic form and breaking down low-block defences, as seen under predecessor Philippe Clement.
Kevin Muscat or Russell Martin would be exciting appointments for Rangers
Instead, the 49ers should target a high-calibre manager with a proven track record at elite levels, aligning with their methodical approach seen in appointing Daniel Farke at Leeds United.
Candidates like Kevin Muscat, who has impressed with Yokohama F. Marinos, or Russell Martin, known for his progressive tactics at Southampton, offer the tactical acumen and experience needed to overhaul Rangers’ squad and instil a winning culture.
Such a manager would signal to fans and rivals that the 49ers are committed to a long-term, data-driven rebuild, leveraging their financial muscle and global network to restore Gers’ glory.