49ers Enterprises and Andrew Cavenagh are closing in on a deal to takeover at Rangers and bring the club forward into a new era.
The 49ers are celebrating Leeds United’s Premier League promotion, a good omen for Rangers given the sizeable cost-cutting at Elland Road last summer.
But there is a big job lying in wait for the Americans when they do eventually take the reins at Ibrox, with talk of takeover delays at Rangers rubbished over the weekend.
Top of the agenda for 49ers Enterprises will be the appointment of a new sporting director and manager, with one former Leeds United figure to play a key role.
Ex-Iceland international to play key role in double Rangers appointment
Rangers fans will have noted Andrew Cavenagh’s presence in the crowd at Ibrox in recent weeks as the takeover talks rumble on in Glasgow’s southside.
The US healthcare mogul is a key player in the 49ers Enterprises takeover deal and has been snapped taking in Rangers as the club ambles towards the end of a disastrous season.
But in more recent matches, Cavenagh has been joined by former Iceland international Gretar Steinsson in the stands.
Steinsson – who most prominently played for Bolton Wanderers in his professional career – was the technical director of Leeds United before being snapped up by the 49ers in November last year.
Now the technical director of 49ers Enterprises, Steinsson has been spotted taking in Rangers matches as the Ibrox club prepares to be taken over.
According to the Rangers Review, Steinsson will play a key role in the appointment of a new sporting director and manager at Ibrox.
In the 49ers Enterprises pyramid, Steinsson will sit above both and will have some technical responsibility for running of Rangers, although this will not be as part of the day-to-day.
Rangers to appoint new sporting director before new manager
We’ve mused over potential Rangers sporting director candidates in the past after it was announced the Gers would be returning to the model.
Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart confirmed a sporting director is on Rangers’ wish list as the Gers look to finally replace the vacant space left by Ross Wilson’s departure to Nottingham Forest in April 2023.
It remains unclear which names are in the running to be appointment, with links to ex-Liverpool recruitment chief Stuart Webber rubbished last month.
But Rangers will appoint a new sporting director before they make a move for the club’s permanent 20th manager.
The Gers want the executive structure to be in place before a new manager comes into Rangers ahead of what could prove a crucial campaign next season.
Rangers have already let slip their all-time trophy record to Old Firm rivals Celtic this campaign with the Parkhead side set to level the Gers’ 55-time domestic championship haul this season.
