Leeds United icon offers 49ers verdict as US investors eye Rangers takeover deal — Leeds Live 21/2/25

Eddie Gray was part of the remarkable Leeds side who were crowned English champions twice

Leeds United legend Eddie Gray was a key figure during the club's golden era, witnessing first-hand the glory days at Elland Road. The team clinched the title of Champions of England twice and were runners up five times in the old First Division, all within an exhilarating nine-year period from the mid-60s to the early 70s.

This was a time when Yorkshire ruled the roost, with an FA Cup win, a League Cup triumph, and a couple of Inter-City Fairs Cup victories under their belt. Although the European Cup narrowly escaped their grasp in 1975, there's no denying that the team, meticulously crafted by respected manager Don Revie on sturdy Scottish foundations, was among the continent's finest.

Now, Leeds' American owners have set their sights on restoring the club to its former glory after gaining full control of United. Leeds icon Gray believes that the financiers behind the San Francisco 49ers will have similar ambitions for Rangers in Scotland as they gear up to invest their dollars into Ibrox next.

As revealed by Record Sport on Wednesday, the NFL team's investment branch is in discussions to finalise a takeover deal that could see Gers join Leeds in the 49ers' newly-formed football portfolio.

So far, the partnership is showing great promise, with Daniel Farke guiding Leeds United to the summit of the English Championship and setting sights on a Premier League comeback next season. And Gray reckons the fresh cash influx might just propel Rangers back to glory as well, reports the Daily Record.

Speaking to Record Sport, the Leeds legend said: "Rangers are a big club with a huge, vast support. I know they've not had the best of times lately but I also don't think it will take that much to turn around a club like that because they've got the backing from the supporters. And the people from the 49ers are the people who can pull that off.

"I really like the way they've approached things down here. One of the biggest things is the publicity they've brought to Leeds.

"The 49ers, being a NFL franchise, are a worldwide brand, everybody knows them. And the people who work for them are very keen, very keen on the football and very keen to get involved and understand what Leeds is about as a city and a club.

"I think the big attraction for them is the atmosphere at games. They can see the passion the fans have for the club.

"It's different from the atmosphere you get in America and they can see the potential that gives you when are investing a lot of money. If you go into a club like Rangers, they've got a great atmosphere there too so I'm sure that will be the attraction.

"It's early days here at Leeds under their ownership, so we're all just going to have to wait and see how it progresses. But I've got to say things are looking good at the present time".

"I think their ambition for Leeds United is to take the team right back to the top if they can. It's not easy. We all know that. There's a lot of obstacles standing in the way of that objective.

"But they have set their sights high - and I think that's what they will be doing with Rangers, looking to turn things around at Ibrox."

The Californians' reign at Elland Road hasn't been without its critics. Following a brief stint as Leeds boss in 2023, former England manager Sam Allardyce criticised the approach taken by 49ers executive and Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe - the man now leading the charge for control at Rangers - accusing him of undermining his efforts to avoid relegation by selling too many of their star players.

Among those who left was Gray's nephew Archie. He was sold to Tottenham for £40million while other departures - including ex-Ibrox star Glen Kamara's move to France - have pushed the sales figures beyond the £150million mark since the 49ers' takeover.

These are figures Gers can only dream of as they struggle to get their player-trading model up and running. But Uncle Eddie believes the days of Leeds having to sell to survive are over.

"One of the main obstacles is that if you don't get promotion quickly, your major players will want to move on and play in the big league, and that's understandable. I'd be disappointed with any player at Leeds United that didn't want to play in the Premier League.

"That's why it's so important that we get back into the Premier League as quick as possible. Then you can hold on to your players. I think you are seeing now that the club is building a strong squad who all want to be here.

"What's clear is that the owners know how to maximise talent and get the best out of it. Obviously, their background is in American football but the NFL is big business too.

"They know how to build things. So far, it's been good for our club.

"I've met with Paraag Marathe and I've been impressed by him. He loves football - he's been bitten by the bug.

"I think coming into our club has given them a taste of what it can be like. I think the ambition at our club is to get back into Premier League as quickly as possible and then take it from there. It's looking good at the present time."

On the pitch, things are looking up for Farke's team. And off it too, the Leeds support are hoping to see their home ground finally brought up to 21st century standard.

While still one of England's most atmospheric arenas, Elland Road has fallen way behind some of the super-modern venues found in the Premier League. But the 49ers have made upgrading the ground another priority.

The current capacity of the stadium is just under 37,000, but plans to expand it to 53,000 were unveiled last September. Gray stated: "We've got to be realistic. Leeds is a big city. It's one of the biggest in England. But if we're going to be back in the Premier League, you have to say the ground's not big enough.

"We have 22,000 season ticket holders but another 20,000 on a waiting list. They could sell the place twice over if only the stadium was bigger. But thankfully the 49ers have got big ideas for the club, whether it be for the ground or the team. They're a very progressive outfit."