What Insights Should We Learn from Steven Gerrard's Time as Rangers Manager?
Steven Gerrard is at the center of conversation after Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, and the former manager is set to discuss a possible return with the team's leadership.
The decision-makers at Rangers have stated that a "comprehensive, thoughtful hiring procedure" is currently underway.
Other candidates are set to be considered, however if the former Anfield and Three Lions captain is open to a return spell at Ibrox, is the job essentially his?
The mid-forties coach has recently spoken about “remaining goals” in management and disclosed he has started approaching potential staff for his backroom team.
In a recent podcast discussion with Rio Ferdinand, appearing to be filmed prior to Martin's short reign ended, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a team that's going to challenge to win because I think that fits me more”.
He added: “If the right call arrives, the right club, the correct opportunity, and I've got my people set, which I plan to have at some point, I'll take that challenge on because it's part of my nature.”
Performance at Rangers in Initial Period
After gaining experience as a academy manager at Anfield, Gerrard took on his maiden coaching position in the summer of 2018.
Over three full campaigns at Ibrox, he won just one title – however it proved significant.
After finishing 13 and nine points behind Celtic in his first two campaigns, Gerrard guided Rangers to their maiden top-flight championship in a ten years, which just happened to prevent their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive win.
And he achieved it impressively, with his team undefeated throughout.
Rangers won all of their domestic games, scored 92 goals and conceded a mere 13.
The downside was that it occurred against a backdrop of the pandemic and fanless grounds.
It remains Rangers' sole league triumph since 2010-11.
What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Perform?
In sharp difference to Martin's unhappy spell, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, going 12 games without defeat until his first visit to Parkhead.
In his first season the Old Firm results were even, each side earning two domestic wins, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.
Two losses to Celtic occurred in the next truncated season, after which Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.
From then on, Gerrard stayed undefeated in Old Firm clashes, winning five additional and tying once.
Rangers progressed through four stages of preliminaries to reach the group stage of the European competition in Gerrard's first season.
In 2019-20, they progressed to the elimination stage of the same competition, being eliminated to Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, with their journey ending at the same stage the following season.
Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?
The Birmingham club made an approach in November 2021, paying £4.5m in fees.
He left Rangers four points clear of Celtic at the top of the standings – however their city rivals would recover to win by the same margin.
The lure of the English top flight is powerful and it could have been seen as the next logical step on a dream comeback 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 better place today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” commented at the time Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.
“We have shared a goal to advance the club, to modernise our infrastructure and to return the team to winning ways.”
What Was Gerrard's Record at Aston Villa and in Saudi Arabia?
Gerrard did not last a full season at Villa Park.
Up and down results resulted in a mid-table position at the conclusion of the 2021-22 campaign before a 3-0 loss at Craven Cottage left them 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.
During 2022, he won only eight of his 31 games, losing 15.
He transferred to Saudi Arabia in summer 2023 when he assumed control at the Saudi club.
His latest role continued for 18 months and he moved on with the club sitting in 12th in the Saudi league, only five points clear of the relegation zone.
“Overall, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial journey for me and for my loved ones,” he said in the end of January. “But soccer is unpredictable, and at times things don't go the way we hope.”
Those after Rangers experiences could cause certain pause for thought and the individual may have doubts over inheriting a struggling squad, but Gerrard likely has the personality to manage such a high-profile post.
He is the sole Rangers manager to have won the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That achievement might well be difficult to overlook for an pressured Rangers leadership.
