Leeds United’s owners the 49ers Enterprises find themselves in a very rough position at Rangers, scrambling for a new manager as their Scottish Premiership campaign continues in embarrassing fashion.
There’s so many factors that go into an owner and the directors deciding to sack a manager. The timing of that decision is crucial, whether it’s left too long, or is done too soon.
After that, finding a replacement promptly that is seen as an improvement on the man who just left is vital too. The 49ers, though, are finding all of that incredibly tough at Rangers.
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Despite having an embarrassingly short 123 days in charge, Russell Martin had outstayed his welcome at Ibrox long before his time came.
One win in seven Scottish Premiership games is unheard of for a new manager at one of Glasgow’s two heavyweights. Add to that a callused defiance in the face of very justified scrutiny from the fanbase, and Martin’s demise became probably the worst way for the 49ers to start their venture at Rangers.
Their decision to sack him was right, but took far too long, and now their efforts to replace him don’t appear to be the most organised or measured.
Danny Rohl seems an unpopular suggestion, but the ex-Sheffield Wednesday man initially turned down Rangers. Now, the German has since been confirmed as the new head coach at Ibrox.
Danny Rohl has his work cut out to overturn a horrid mood at Rangers under the 49ers. (Action Images/Craig Brough)
In between Rohl’s rejection and U-turn were links to others including Steven Gerrard, as well as Kevin Muscat turning his back on talks too.
Simon Jordan slams 49ers disorganisation at Rangers as Leeds United watch on
It’s a situation that doesn’t directly affect United as things stand, but it’s definitely not a good look for the 49ers to see their other venture currently in managerial turmoil.
TalkSPORT’s Simon Jordan is surprised at how Paraag Marathe and co are handling this issue at Ibrox, given their experience at Elland Road and how they’ve managed Elland Road.
“I’ve talked about the people in there, whether it’s Gretar Steinsson (49ers technical director), who’s a so-called de facto advisor for the 49ers that seems to be making lots of decisions,” Jordan said. “Or Kevin Thelwell, and the backdrop of everyone that seems to have worked with him. I mean, (Sean) Dyche didn’t want to work with him, did he?
“So there’s a constant theme about the sporting director that I don’t think people think much of him. I don’t, and it’s been echoed by those that worked with him previously. So, that then goes to the ownership model. I always made a case that the 49ers would know what they were doing.
“Not just because I wanted it to be the case, but because they’ve got experience. They own a very big club in Leeds United. Leeds United are a huge football club and come with similar pressures as Rangers do, scale and size, worldwide well-recognised football clubs with big histories. So I expect them to be able to translate. It appears to me that they don’t at this moment in time.
“It appears to me from the chief executive, to the sporting director, to the appointment of Russell Martin, to this situation. Where is this ‘best in class’?”
49ers have to prove their ability to make swift and effective manager decisions at Leeds United and Rangers
In two years leading up to promotion, there’s little you can be dissatisfied with the 49ers’ running of Leeds. We got promoted after a tough setback, with shrewd recruitment helping Farke fulfil his objective.
At Rangers, the club is in complete turmoil on the pitch and it’s down to their decisions. Martin was a failure from the start, the 49ers took too long to get rid, and now they’re floundering for a replacement that many of the fans aren’t on board with.
I disagree with their Danny Rohl vitriol, he’s a very good coach. But that’s besides the point.
Where we’re concerned down at Leeds, the 49ers could find themselves having to do likewise with the Elland Road dugout.
Hopefully, Farke collects three points on Friday and we begin to forget about any pressure on the manager. That said, the simple reality of a relegation scrap is that these uncomfortable conversations are common.
If the 49ers need to dismiss Farke at any point soon, their efforts at Rangers are not a good reference.
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