Paraag Marathe and Andrew Cavenagh are edging closer to completing their planned takeover of Rangers.
Last month, reports surfaced that a consortium involving 49ers Enterprises was in advanced discussions to acquire the club. The process quickly gained momentum as several existing shareholders agreed to sell their stakes.
A significant breakthrough came on Monday, 3 March, when Sky Sports revealed that an agreement in principle had been reached, paving the way for the deal to proceed.
As a result, Marathe and Cavenagh are set to secure a 51% controlling stake at Ibrox, pending the completion of due diligence and the necessary paperwork.
49ers Navigate Legal Hurdles as Mourinho Speculation Dismissed
Journalist Gary Keown has now provided an update on the takeover, confirming that the US consortium is currently finalizing the legal aspects of the agreement as they prepare for what he describes as a “Great Reset” at Rangers.
Meanwhile, Keown also dismissed speculation linking Jose Mourinho to the manager’s role at Ibrox. He pointed out that Celtic had already been ruled out as a potential destination for Mourinho due to Porto’s 3-2 victory over them in the 2003 UEFA Cup final.
Keown wrote in The Scottish Mail on Sunday (9 March, page 90):
“That only leaves the old Teddy Bears, then, and the truth is that a figurehead of his [Mourinho’s] ilk is pretty much the last thing the Ibrox club need as they prepare for the Great Reset under the US consortium, now at the stage of going through the legalities ahead of sweeping into power.”
A New Era Dawns at Ibrox
It is now only a matter of time before Marathe and Cavenagh take control of Rangers, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the club.
Supporters will be eager to see the new ownership restore success at Ibrox after years of mismanagement left the club struggling both financially and on the pitch.
One of the consortium’s immediate challenges will be identifying a long-term successor to Philippe Clement, with Barry Ferguson currently overseeing the squad on an interim basis.
Despite Mourinho recently hinting at an interest in managing in Glasgow, Keown argues that he is not the right fit for Rangers at this stage. Instead, the club needs a carefully considered managerial appointment to guide them into this new era under American ownership.
