Godwin ObajeRangers Set to Appoint New Manager as US Takeover Nears Completion
By Pete O’Rourke – Transfer Correspondent
Published: 28 May 2025
Rangers Football Club is on the brink of appointing a new permanent manager as the long-anticipated US-backed takeover of the club moves toward official ratification, sources have confirmed to Football Insider.
A high-profile consortium led by 49ers Enterprises – the ownership group behind English Championship side Leeds United – is closing in on acquiring control of the Glasgow-based club. With that process now entering its final stages, decisive action on the managerial front is expected imminently.
Rangers have been without a permanent manager since the sacking of Philippe Clement earlier this year. While Barry Ferguson stepped in as caretaker for the remainder of the 2024-25 season, he has not been retained for the long term. The club’s hierarchy, under the guidance of the incoming ownership group, is eager to install a new head coach who aligns with their long-term vision.
Davide Ancelotti: The Leading Contender
According to well-placed sources, the frontrunner for the role is Davide Ancelotti, the highly-rated son of legendary Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti. Currently serving as assistant manager to his father, Davide has built a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young coaches.
The 35-year-old began his coaching career at Paris Saint-Germain in 2012 and has since followed his father to several of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Napoli, and Everton. Now, with Carlo Ancelotti having taken the reins of the Brazil national team, Davide is reportedly ready to branch out on his own and step into his first senior managerial role.
Sources have described Davide as the “prime candidate and front-runner” for the Rangers position, with all signs pointing to the club moving quickly once the takeover is finalised.
Carlo Ancelotti himself recently hinted that his son is close to taking on a top job, stating that Davide is in active discussions with a European club over a head coach position.
Other Names Considered
Although Ancelotti Jr. is currently the preferred choice, the Rangers board has considered several other candidates during the search. Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard, who famously led the club to a Premiership title in 2021, has been mentioned as a possibility, while Brian Priske, the ex-Feyenoord boss, is also believed to have been under consideration.
Nevertheless, the incoming decision-makers are said to be unified in their preference for a fresh and forward-thinking appointment – one that can bring modern ideas to the table and reinvigorate a team that finished well behind their rivals this season.
Champions League Deadline Looms
Time is of the essence for Rangers. Their Champions League qualifying campaign is set to begin on 22 July, giving the club less than two months to appoint a manager, overhaul the squad, and prepare for a potentially season-defining set of fixtures.
Failure to secure progression through the qualifying rounds could result in a significant financial hit – especially as the new ownership group looks to invest and expand the club’s operations both on and off the pitch. As such, the pressure is on to appoint a capable manager who can hit the ground running.
A source close to the negotiations commented:
“It will be all systems go once the takeover is confirmed. Rangers want the new manager in place quickly to begin preparing for the European qualifiers. Ancelotti is the standout candidate, and talks are progressing well.”
A Disappointing End to the Season
Rangers endured a frustrating 2024-25 campaign, finishing 17 points adrift of champions Celtic, who amassed 92 points to reclaim the Scottish Premiership crown. Rangers ended the season in second place with 75 points – a significant drop-off from previous seasons.
The team also saw their Europa League ambitions halted at the quarter-final stage, compounding the sense of underachievement.
The gap between Rangers and Celtic, both on the pitch and in terms of squad depth, has prompted calls for significant change – starting with leadership in the dugout.
Incoming Recruitment Underway
In addition to seeking a new manager, Rangers are already making moves to bolster their playing squad. As reported by Football Insider on 27 May, the club is in a transfer battle with West Bromwich Albion to sign George Bello, a 23-year-old wing-back currently plying his trade at LASK in Austria.
Bello, a United States international, is out of contract in 2026 and is reportedly valued at around £1 million. Rangers have been monitoring the talented left-back for the past three seasons and view him as a potential long-term asset for the club’s defensive ranks.
A move for Bello would align with the strategy being discussed behind the scenes – targeting younger, high-upside talent that can develop under a progressive manager and potentially generate strong resale value in the future.
A New Era for Rangers?
With the 49ers Enterprises takeover set to usher in a new chapter in Rangers’ storied history, expectations are high among supporters. The group has already shown ambition in England with Leeds United and is expected to take a similarly bold approach in Glasgow.
Appointing a rising managerial star like Davide Ancelotti could prove to be a major statement of intent – not only in terms of ambition but also in ushering in a more modern footballing philosophy at Ibrox.
If the takeover is confirmed in the coming days, fans may not have long to wait before seeing Ancelotti unveiled and preparations for the 2025-26 season swing into action.
Godwin Obaje
