AliousRangers Legend Reveals What Leeds Insiders Privately Told Him About 49ers Takeover—And Why Fans Should Be Optimistic
The 2024/25 season has been one to forget for Rangers. With upheaval on and off the pitch—ranging from playing home matches at Hampden Park to the dismissal of manager Philippe Clement—supporters have had little to celebrate. But brighter days may be on the horizon.
A significant shift is approaching as Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises edge closer to becoming the new majority owners of Rangers. The American group, which already owns Leeds United, is generating excitement among fans desperate for a fresh chapter.
One person especially optimistic about this development is former Rangers defender Dave McKinnon. Drawing from his connections at Leeds, where the 49ers successfully guided the club back to the Premier League, McKinnon believes their arrival at Ibrox will mark a major turning point.
Speaking to *Mail Sport* (25 May), McKinnon shared that trusted sources within the Leeds setup have expressed admiration for how the 49ers run the Yorkshire club. He emphasized that the group is smart enough to delegate—bringing in experts with deep football knowledge rather than trying to run things from a business-only perspective.
“From what I’ve heard, they’ve built a structure where the boardroom vision aligns with the football strategy, commercial goals, and even the fanbase,” said McKinnon. “That kind of unity is what drives real success.”
At Leeds, the 49ers assembled a highly talented and well-funded squad, guiding them to Championship glory and automatic promotion. With Paraag Marathe playing a central role as chairman at Elland Road, he’s now a leading figure in the Rangers takeover, sparking hope that a similar blueprint could elevate the Scottish club.
As for the timeline, the takeover has been a drawn-out process due to the fragmented ownership structure at Rangers. Various shareholders have differing views on selling, but former chairman Dave King—who is offloading his shares—has stated that the deal could be finalized by mid-June. That would give the incoming manager just enough time to prepare for the European qualifiers and enter the transfer window with clarity about the club’s financial direction.
Supporters are now watching closely, hoping that this takeover doesn’t just bring new investment—but a new era.
Alious
