NafisaRangers fans might be wondering who will take over as the club’s next permanent manager under the 49ers Enterprises, but Paraag Marathe may already have a candidate in mind.
Barry Ferguson is currently leading the team on an interim basis until the season concludes, aiming to lift morale at Ibrox—a goal he has undoubtedly achieved.
Following an impressive week that saw Rangers defeat both Fenerbahce and Celtic, speculation has grown that Ferguson could be in contention for the permanent job.
Marathe’s Potential Plan for Rangers’ Next Manager
After Philippe Clement’s troubled tenure, the decision to make a managerial change at this stage of the season was primarily about raising standards and re-engaging the supporters.
While Ferguson’s previous managerial experience may not have been the strongest preparation for leading Rangers, his legendary status at the club has helped him inspire the squad and shift expectations.
The impact has been evident, particularly with Rangers progressing in the Europa League after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Fenerbahce.
Then, on Sunday (16 March), Ferguson’s team claimed a thrilling 3-2 win over Celtic, with Hamza Igamane netting an 88th-minute winner.
Despite the excitement surrounding Ferguson’s potential as a long-term option, John McGarry has raised doubts about whether that opportunity will actually materialize.
Writing in the print edition of the Scottish Daily Mail (18 March, page 70), he noted: “With Rangers on the verge of a takeover by an American consortium, there’s every chance that Ferguson would be putting himself forward for a vacancy that does not exist. When 49ers Enterprises completed their buy-out of Leeds United in 2023, their first act was to appoint Daniel Farke as manager.
“It’s entirely conceivable, then, that Paraag Marathe, the Elland Road chairman who is also part of the group which is set to take control at Ibrox, already has his own man in mind. It’s typically what happens when there is a change in ownership.”
Stability is Key for Rangers
Rangers have undoubtedly enjoyed a fantastic stretch of results, and with that success, it’s easy to see why there is growing enthusiasm around Ferguson’s potential appointment.
However, the club’s biggest challenges go beyond the manager’s role, and the ownership transition must be finalized before any major decisions can be made regarding the future leadership.
It remains to be seen how the 49ers Enterprises will approach the situation. Some new owners act swiftly to install a manager of their choosing, while others allow the current setup to continue before making changes at the first sign of trouble.
That said, Ferguson was always intended to be a short-term solution, so if the 49ers opt not to extend his role further, it would not come as a major surprise.
It’s also important to consider that he has only been in charge for five games so far, making it unclear whether he can meet the high expectations of the incoming owners.
While Ferguson’s impact so far has been commendable, it’s still early days, and any long-term speculation should be tempered until a clearer picture emerges.
Nafisa
