Graeme Souness is a bona fide Rangers legend after representing the club as a player and manager in the 1980s and 1990s.
Souness joined Rangers as the club’s first-ever player-manager and would go on to ignite the spark that set Gers on their way to dominating Scottish football and winning nine-in-a-row.
The ‘Souness Revolution’ was seismic for the Ibrox outfit as the club emerged out of the barren 1980s and turned into one of the most powerful forces Scotland has ever seen.
His ability to attract incredible talent from England was key. Souness was also a disciplinarian and not one to be getting on the wrong side of.
The former midfielder’s success as a player with Liverpool and Scotland demanded the respect he deserved and he would use this to his advantage as Rangers manager.
Here is absolutely everything you need to know about Rangers legend Graeme Souness as we answer all of your frequently asked questions.
How old is Graeme Souness?
Graeme Souness was born on May 6, 1953 in the western Edinburgh suburb of Saughton. As of March 2024, he is 70 years old.
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Graeme Souness net worth
According to 888 Sport, Souness boasts a net worth of between £5-15 million.
Graeme Souness wife
Souness is married to Karen Souness after the couple tied the knot in 1994. They have one son together and two stepchildren.
The former Rangers boss was previously married to Danielle Wilson from 1984 but the pair split up in 1989 and later divorced.
When was Graeme Souness manager of Rangers?
Graeme Souness was appointed player-manager of Rangers in April 1986. He left Italian side Sampdoria for the unique Ibrox role with Rangers shelling out £300,000 for his services.
Souness succeeded Jock Wallace as Rangers boss. Wallace endured a difficult second stint as manager after winning two domestic Trebles and many more trophies during his first spell in the 1970s.
How long was Graeme Souness at Rangers?
Souness remained Rangers player-manager until the the final day of the 1989/90 campaign before hanging up the boots and becoming solely the manager.
He would manage Rangers throughout the majority of the 1990/91 season but would leave in the April. Overall, Souness spent exactly five years as player-manager and latterly manager of Rangers.
Graeme Souness Rangers tackle
Souness was known for his aggressive style of play and rough tackling as a midfielder. He would definitely not be one to shirk out of a hotly-contested challenge and found himself in trouble many times for his misbehaviour.
Undoubtedly his most famous tackles committed as a Rangers player were made on his debut for the club against Hibs at Easter Road and then versus Steaua Bucharest in the 1987/88 European Cup quarter-final second leg.
On his Rangers debut, Souness received two yellow cards within the opening 34 minutes against the Hibees for late challenges – the second of which sparking a melee in the middle of the park.
The Steaua Bucharest incident was even more violent and shockingly, Souness escaped with just a caution from the on-field referee.
It’s undoubtedly clear the intent was there from Souness, who later admitted his “worst ever challenge” was a case of mistaken identity.
He revealed on talkSPORT, as per the Daily Record, in February 2024 that the tackle was actually meant for Marius Lacatus instead of the unfortunate Iosif Rotariu.
Rangers lost the quarter-final 3-2 on aggregate and it proved to be Souness’ last start for the club as player-manager.
Why did Graeme Souness leave Rangers?
Graeme Souness left Rangers in April 1991 to become manager of Liverpool, replacing Kenny Dalglish in the dugout at Anfield.
The Light Blues’ form dipped after Souness left but Walter Smith would guide the club to yet another Scottish Premier Division trophy success following a final day title shootout against Aberdeen.
Graeme Souness Rangers stats and goals
According to Fitbastats, Souness played 73 games for Rangers as player-manager between 1986 and 1990. He started 55 of those matches and scored five goals all-in-all.
He was shown five yellow cards – two of which were on his debut – and three red cards.
- Appearances: 73
- Starts: 55
- Goals: 5
- Yellow cards: 5
- Red cards: 3
Graeme Souness Rangers manager record
Here is Graeme Souness’ record as player-manager and manager of Rangers between 1986 and 1991:
- 1985/86 – 2 games, 2 wins
- 1986/87 – 58 games, 39 wins, 11 draws, 8 defeats
- 1987/88 – 59 games, 35 wins, 11 draws, 15 defeats
- 1988/89 – 53 games, 37 wins, 8 draws, 8 defeats
- 1989/90 – 45 games, 25 wins, 12 draws, 8 defeats
- 1990/91 – 40 games, 30 wins, 8 draws, 6 defeats
- Overall – 261 games, 168 wins, 50 draws, 43 defeats (64.37% win rate)
- Major trophies – Scottish Premier Division (x3), Scottish League Cup (x4)
Is Graeme Souness coming back to Rangers?
No, Graeme Souness confirmed in March 2024 that he won’t be making a return to Rangers.
He was part of the delegation that appointed Philippe Clement as manager in October and during that process, held discussions with Frank Lampard and Kevin Muscat.
Souness was rumoured to be closing in on a return in the form of an advisory role around the same time but he has now confirmed he won’t be returning to the club he played for and managed.
He said at a Viaplay media event recently: “That’s been and gone. We spoke about it, but it’s not going to happen. I’m not going to enlarge on it.”
Why did Graeme Souness leave Sky Sports?
Graeme Souness was a regular pundit on Sky Sports’ Super Sunday programme covering the biggest games in the Premier League.
However, after 15 years with the broadcaster, he announced in April 2023 that he was stepping away from his role there.
This is what he told The Guardian in June 2023 about why he left Sky Sports. Souness said: “[The decision to leave was] mutual. I mean, I was keen to stay another year.
“They thought it would be a good idea that we called it a day, gave their reasons and I accepted that and have zero complaints about Sky.
“I worked for them maybe 15 years solid – but it’s more like 20 years. They’ve been great for me, gave me the weekends to look forward to, the buzz of live football.”
“Yes, [I’ll miss it]. But I’m talking to other people and we’ll go again. There’s life in the old dog yet.”