Rangers are beginning to put long-term plans in place through several behind-the-scenes changes.
The hiring of Kevin Thelwell as sporting director is seen as a positive move, and the anticipated takeover by the San Francisco 49ers could prove transformative for the club.
However, the major uncertainty remains over who will take the reins as the next Rangers manager, with attention focused on developments at Leeds United.
Leeds have secured promotion to the Premier League, but reports suggest Daniel Farke’s future remains unclear, casting doubt on whether he’ll lead the club next season.
Past remarks from Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe highlight how decisive—and ruthless—the 49ers can be when it comes to leadership decisions.
Paraag Marathe’s firm stance could signal trouble for Daniel Farke
Marathe is reportedly flying in for discussions with Farke, and despite the German’s success in achieving both a playoff final and automatic promotion, his position appears at risk. His standing in football likely remains strong, but his future at Leeds may not.
According to The Guardian, the 49ers have several names in mind as possible replacements, including former Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Roger Schmidt—who has managed Leverkusen, PSV, and Benfica—and Davide Ancelotti, son of Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.
If Farke is dismissed, it would reflect poorly on Marathe given his previous comments praising the coach’s potential and commitment:
“I don’t think he had a fair stack of cards when he was in the Premier League.
We’re going to give him the deck of cards. I think he could be a very successful coach across Europe. This isn’t just: ‘Hey get us through the Championship.’”
If promotion isn’t enough to secure Farke’s job, it may serve as a warning to Rangers’ next manager about how high the standards—and expectations—could be under the 49ers’ ownership.
In essence, if the new regime is willing to part ways with a title-winning manager for any misstep, they likely won’t tolerate early cup exits or underperformance elsewhere.
Is Marathe making the right call?
This situation can be viewed in two ways: Marathe may be seen as reneging on his support if he dismisses Farke now, or he may be acting decisively for the long-term benefit of Leeds.
If he’s identified persistent issues or sees limitations in Farke’s ability to compete at the next level, then acting before the new season begins could be wise—provided the successor is the right fit. However, doubts remain over each of the names linked so far.
