Which Insights Can We Take Away from Steven Gerrard's Time as Glasgow Rangers Manager?
The former Liverpool captain has been in the spotlight of conversation after Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on Sunday, and the former manager is set to discuss a potential comeback with the club's leadership.
Those in charge at Rangers have stated that a "comprehensive, considered hiring process" is currently underway.
Other candidates are set to be reviewed, but if ex Anfield and Three Lions skipper is willing to a return spell at the club, is the job as good as his?
The 45-year-old coach lately spoken about “remaining goals” in management and disclosed he has begun contacting prospective members for his backroom team.
In a recent audio discussion with the former defender, which seemed to be recorded before Martin's brief reign ended, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a team that's going to compete to win because I believe that suits me better”.
He continued: “If the suitable offer arrives, 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.”
Gerrard's Record at Rangers in His First Stint
Having acquired experience as a youth development manager at Liverpool, Gerrard took on his maiden coaching role in the mid-year of 2018.
Over three full seasons at Ibrox, he secured only a single title – however it proved significant.
After finishing nine and 13 points behind their rivals in his first two seasons, Gerrard led Rangers to their first top-flight title in a ten years, which just happened to prevent their Old Firm rivals an unprecedented 10-in-a-row win.
And he did it impressively, with his team undefeated in the process.
Rangers triumphed in all of their domestic games, netted 92 goals and conceded a only 13.
The drawback was that it occurred amid of Covid and empty stadiums.
It remains Rangers' only title success since the 2010-11 season.
What Was Gerrard's Old Firm Record Perform?
In stark contrast to Martin's unhappy experience, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, going 12 games unbeaten until his first visit to Celtic Park.
In his first campaign the Old Firm honours were even, each side securing two home wins, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.
A pair of defeats to Celtic occurred in the next truncated season, after which Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.
After that, Gerrard stayed undefeated in Old Firm clashes, claiming five more and tying once.
Rangers came through four stages of qualifying to reach the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's debut season.
In 2019-20, they progressed to the elimination stage of the identical competition, being eliminated to the German side in the last 16, with their run ending at the same stage the next year.
Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?
Aston Villa came calling in November 2021, forking out £4.5m in compensation.
He left Rangers four points clear of Celtic at the top of the standings – but their local opponents would claw that back to prevail by the identical gap.
The lure of the Premier League is strong and it could have been viewed as the next logical step on a fairytale return to Anfield at a time when his coaching reputation was high.
“Steven and his backroom staff have ensured that the club is undoubtedly in a stronger position today than it was several seasons ago,” said at the time Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.
“We have shared a goal to move Rangers forward, to modernise our infrastructure and to return the team to winning ways.”
What Was Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?
Gerrard did not last a year at Aston Villa.
Inconsistent performances resulted in a mid-table position at the conclusion of the 2021-22 campaign before a three-goal loss at Fulham left them in 17th in October 2022 when he was dismissed.
Across 2022, he won just eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.
He moved to the Middle East in July 2023 when he assumed control at the Saudi club.
His most recent job continued for a year and a half and he moved on with the team sitting 12th in the Saudi league, just five points clear of the drop zone.
“Overall, I have learned a lot, and it's been a positive experience personally and for my family,” he remarked in late January. “But football is unpredictable, and sometimes things don't go the way we hope.”
Those post-Ibrox exploits could cause some hesitation and the man himself might harbor doubts over inheriting a underperforming squad, but Gerrard probably has the personality to handle such a prominent post.
He is the sole Rangers boss to have won the championship since the legendary Walter Smith. That achievement could be difficult to overlook for an pressured Rangers leadership.