Which Insights Can We Learn from Gerrard's Time as Rangers Manager?
Steven Gerrard is at the center of discussion since Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on the weekend, while the ex-coach will discuss a possible comeback with the team's leadership.
Those in charge at Rangers have stated that a "thorough, considered hiring process" is currently in progress.
Other candidates will be considered, however if ex Liverpool and England captain is willing to a return spell at the club, could the position essentially his?
The mid-forties coach lately spoken about “remaining goals” in management and revealed he has started approaching potential members for his backroom team.
In a recent podcast interview with the former defender, appearing to be recorded before Martin's short tenure concluded, Gerrard stated he wanted “to be at a club that's going to challenge to win because I think that fits me better”.
He added: “If the right call comes my way, the right club, the correct opportunity, and I've assembled my staff, which I plan to have at some point, I'll accept that role because it's in me.”
Performance at Rangers in His First Stint
Having acquired experience as a academy manager at Anfield, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching role in the mid-year of 2018.
During three complete campaigns at Rangers, he won just one title – however it proved significant.
Following placements of nine and 13 points after their rivals in his first two campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their first premiership championship in a decade, which coincidentally deny their Glasgow rivals an historic tenth consecutive title.
And he did it in style, with his team undefeated in the process.
Rangers triumphed in all of their home games, scored 92 goals and allowed a only 13.
The drawback was that it occurred amid of Covid and fanless grounds.
It remains Rangers' only title success since the 2010-11 season.
What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Look?
In sharp difference to Martin's unhappy spell, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his initial trip to Parkhead.
In his first season the derby results were even, each side earning two home wins, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.
Two losses to Celtic came in the following shortened season, after which Rangers winning in the east end of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.
From then on, Gerrard remained undefeated in derbies, winning five additional and tying once.
Rangers came through four rounds of qualifying to reach the main phase of the European competition in Gerrard's debut season.
In the 2019-20 campaign, they progressed to the knockout rounds of the same tournament, losing out to Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, with their run concluding at the same stage the following season.
What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?
The Birmingham club made an approach in November 2021, paying £4.5m in fees.
He departed Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the summit of the standings – however their local opponents would recover to win by the same margin.
The lure of the English top flight is strong and it could have been viewed as the next logical step on a dream return to Anfield at a time when his coaching reputation was high.
“Steven and his backroom staff have ensured that the team is clearly 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 update our facilities and to return the team to winning ways.”
How Did Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?
Gerrard failed to complete a year at Villa Park.
Inconsistent results resulted in a 14th-place position at the end of the 2021-22 campaign before a three-goal defeat at Fulham placed them in 17th in autumn 2022 when he was dismissed.
During 2022, he won just eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.
He transferred to the Middle East in summer 2023 when he took over at the Saudi club.
His latest job continued for 18 months and he moved on with the team placed in 12th in the Saudi Pro League, just five points clear of the relegation zone.
“Overall, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a positive experience for me and for my loved ones,” he remarked in late January. “But football is uncertain, and sometimes events don't unfold the way we hope.”
These after Rangers experiences could cause certain hesitation and the man himself might harbor doubts over inheriting a struggling team, but Gerrard likely has the personality to handle such a high-profile position.
He is the only Rangers manager to have won the championship since the legendary Walter Smith. That achievement could be difficult to overlook for an under-pressure Rangers leadership.