What Lessons Should We Learn from Steven Gerrard's Tenure as Rangers Manager?
The former Liverpool captain has been at the center of discussion since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, while the ex-coach will talk about a potential comeback with the team's owners.
Those in charge at Ibrox have stated that a "comprehensive, thoughtful hiring procedure" is now in progress.
Additional names will be considered, however if the former Anfield and Three Lions captain is willing to a return spell at the club, is the job as good as his?
The 45-year-old manager has recently mentioned about “unfinished business” in coaching and revealed he has begun approaching potential staff for his backroom team.
In a recent podcast interview with the former defender, appearing to be filmed prior to Martin's short tenure ended, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a club that's going to challenge to win because I believe that fits me better”.
He continued: “If the suitable offer arrives, the right club, the correct opportunity, and I've assembled my staff, which I will have at some point, I'll accept that role because it's part of my nature.”
Gerrard's Record at Rangers in His First Stint
Having acquired experience as a youth development manager at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his first managerial position in the summer of 2018.
During three full campaigns at Rangers, he secured only a single title – but it was a big one.
After finishing 13 and nine points behind Celtic in his first two seasons, Gerrard guided Rangers to their maiden top-flight title in a decade, which coincidentally deny their Old Firm rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive title.
And he achieved it in style, with his team unbeaten throughout.
Rangers won all of their home games, netted 92 goals and conceded a mere 13.
The drawback was that it occurred against a backdrop of Covid and fanless grounds.
It remains Rangers' sole title success since 2010-11.
How Did Gerrard's Old Firm Record Perform?
In sharp difference to Martin's disappointing spell, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, going 12 games unbeaten until his first visit to Parkhead.
In his debut campaign the derby honours were shared, each side earning two home victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.
Two losses to Celtic occurred in the following shortened season, after which Rangers securing a victory in the eastern part of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.
From then on, Gerrard stayed undefeated in Old Firm clashes, winning five additional and tying once.
Rangers came through four rounds of qualifying to reach the main phase of the Europa League in Gerrard's first season.
In the 2019-20 campaign, they advanced to the knockout rounds of the same competition, being eliminated to Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, with their journey concluding at the same stage the following season.
Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?
The Birmingham club came calling in late 2021, forking out £4.5m in compensation.
He left Rangers with a lead clear of Celtic at the top of the standings – but their local opponents would claw that back to win by the same margin.
The lure of the Premier League is powerful and it may have been seen as the next logical step on a dream return to Liverpool at a time when his coaching reputation was high.
“Steven and his backroom staff have made sure that the team is undoubtedly in a stronger position today than it was several seasons ago,” commented then Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.
“We have had a goal to advance the club, to update our facilities and to make the club win again.”
How Did Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?
Gerrard did not last a full season at Villa Park.
Inconsistent performances resulted in a 14th-place position at the end of season 2021-22 before a 3-0 loss at Fulham left them in 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.
During 2022, he won only eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.
He transferred to the Middle East in July 2023 when he took over at Al-Ettifaq.
His latest role lasted a year and a half and he moved on with the club sitting 12th in the Saudi Pro League, only five points clear of the drop zone.
“Overall, I have learned a lot, and it's been a beneficial experience for me and for my family,” he said in late January. “But soccer is unpredictable, and sometimes things don't go the way we want.”
These post-Ibrox experiences may give certain pause for thought and the man himself may have doubts over inheriting a underperforming team, but Gerrard likely has the personality to handle such a high-profile position.
He is the sole Rangers boss to have lifted the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That experience could be difficult to overlook for an pressured Ibrox board.