Donald Trump returned for a turbulent second term as US president in January, but he could have been a football club owner if things had turned out differently.
Back in 2012, before hed ever run for president, Trump was linked with a takeover at Rangers during their financial crisis his mother is Scottish, and he owns two golf courses in the country.
Reports ultimately suggested that Trump didnt proceed with his interest, deeming their fiscal situation too dire. We looked seriously and walked away, a Trump source said at the time. It just didnt make sense to us, although theyre a great club.
Trump's first manager?
Ally McCoist was Rangers manager back then, and tells FourFourTwo that he did see the speculation about Trump at the time.
I was aware of the rumours I think my first sit-down board meeting would have been interesting! he laughs.
The one thing I would say about Trump we can argue about his politics, well probably agree on what we think about his politics and we can discuss it until the cows come home but he knows how to run a golf course, I can tell you that!
So forget everything else, if its any dealings in sport, his two golf courses north of the border, Turnberry and Trump International in Aberdeen, are nothing short of magnificent, they really are.
But I wasnt really conscious of the fact that the deal was anything like going to happen, I think they were just rumours.
Rangers could be under new American ownership soon, with investors reported to have agreed a deal to buy the club although Trump isnt on the agenda this time.
Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe and health insurance tycoon Andrew Cavenagh are leading the bid, hoping to help the club return to title glory theyve endured a difficult period since winning the league in 2021, and trail Celtic by a distance again this term.
This one is certainly hopefully nearer completion," McCoist said, speaking in association with talkSPORT BET.
Theres a bit of due diligence getting done as youd expect, but Ive heard that the parties have agreed in theory about the deal, which is great. Im excited about it, I really am, its long overdue.
Its alarming how far the club have gone backwards since winning a title and being beaten on penalties in a Europa League final not so long ago.
No club on the planet has any divine right to success, look at Manchester United, but I just think the mismanagement and poor decision-making at Rangers in recent years since probably since Steven Gerrard left or I take that back, probably since they got rid of Gio van Bronckhorst has been shocking, unacceptable in many aspects.
Where every fan has a divine right is to care about your team and want the best for them, all fans are like that and so they should be. Im the same about Rangers.
The mismanagement since Gio left in terms of recruitment, its just been really poor. Of course youre not going to get every decision right in terms of bringing players in and letting players go, but its been unacceptable.
Baby steps
Rangers have progressed in the Europa League, and won 3-1 at Fenerbahce in the first leg of the last 16 on Thursday, but their woes in the domestic league were compounded by a shock Scottish Cup defeat at home to Queens Park.
Im one of those Rangers fans whos looking forward to change and I dont mind if it takes a while, he said.
I just want to get our club back on a stable footing, competing with Celtic, Im not wanting anything dramatic at the moment, I just want to be giving Celtic a challenge in the league, because weve not got it at the moment.
The European run has been good, weve had some good results in Europe again this year, but your bread and butter is domestic football.
Im quite excited about the new owners, I like the way theyre going about it, Leeds look like theyre in a very good place at the moment.
That would do me, measured, lets regroup, its not going to happen in the next three months but lets get a plan and a structure, a group of people who know what theyre doing, care about what theyre doing and care about the club, and move forward. That would do me.
