Graeme Souness: Leeds United Shock Gives Me Full Confidence in 49ers‑Backed Rangers
Former Rangers manager and Liverpool legend Graeme Souness says a surprise moment at Leeds United confirms that 49ers Enterprises, along with their collaborator Andrew Cavenagh, are destined to succeed at Ibrox.
Souness, whose punditry regularly picks apart the English game, says the Elland Road model — where Paraag Marathé, now vice-chairman and heavily involved in the return of Leeds to the Premier League, orchestrated widespread changes behind the scenes — demonstrates the kind of process that bodes well for triumph in Glasgow .
Leeds United Lessons Fuel Rangers Optimism
Leeds United’s revival under Marathé’s leadership involved a strategic overhaul: technical hires, judicial restructuring and cultural reset. Souness believes it sent a clear message about the kind of deep structural transformation needed when a major investor enters a storied club.
He told GlasgowWorld:
“Without a shadow of a doubt … they would have looked at it and thought, we’ll just roll in … they’re coming from a different culture … There were some things that totally surprised them. I think being down there is only good news for Glasgow Rangers.”
Souness emphasised that the Americans — although newcomers to Scottish football — have not entered a vacuum. “It’s not the first rodeo in terms of being involved in ‘soccer.’ … It’s not a case of will they ever get it right. It’s a case of when they get it right.”
Patience, but Expectation Is High
Despite early progress — such as a 3–0 win over Viktoria Plzen in Champions League qualifying — Rangers did draw on the opening day of the Premiership, prompting criticism . Souness cautions about the harsh environment:
“Time is not your friend when you’re working at a big football club … expectation levels are enormous and with that come enormous pressures.”
He believes the new regime understands that Glasgow Rangers is not simply a football club but an institution — and that this awareness puts their approach in the right frame: deliberate, measured, and culturally respectful .
A Model of American Sports Culture Meets Scottish Tradition
Souness reflects that the American sporting model is built on data, governance, and strategic clarity. Leeds United’s journey under Marathé and 49ers Enterprises showed how that framework can be imported into British football—painful at times for those unaccustomed to drastic change, but ultimately effective.
His message is clear: the shock Leeds fans might have felt during the club’s rebuild actually strengthens the case for similar transformation at Rangers. And for Souness, that spells success — not in speculation, but in an approach proven to work.
What Lies Ahead
Rangers fans will watch closely as Paraag Marathé takes his Leeds-tested structures to Ibrox. The arrival of new head coach Russell Martin, behind-the-scenes hires, and phased investment signal a broader strategy at play .
Souness warns the new owners must remain patient—but defensible in their ambition. “This is going to be a very good year for us,” he added, hopeful about Rangers’ prospects domestically and in Europe .
