Which Insights Should We Learn from Gerrard's Time as Rangers Manager?
Steven Gerrard is at the center of discussion after Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on the weekend, and the ex-coach is set to talk about a possible comeback with the team's leadership.
The decision-makers at Ibrox have stated that a "comprehensive, thoughtful hiring procedure" is now in progress.
Additional names are set to be reviewed, however if ex Liverpool and England captain is open to a return spell at Ibrox, is the job essentially his?
The mid-forties manager lately spoken about “remaining goals” in management and disclosed he has begun contacting prospective staff for his backroom team.
In a latest audio discussion with Rio Ferdinand, which seemed to be recorded before Martin's brief reign concluded, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a club that's set to challenge to win because I believe that fits me more”.
He continued: “If the suitable offer comes my way, the right club, the right challenge, and I've got my people set, which I will have at some point, I'll accept that role because it's in me.”
Performance at Rangers in Initial Period
Having acquired knowledge as a youth development coach at Liverpool, Gerrard took on his first managerial position in the summer of 2018.
Over three full campaigns at Rangers, he won only a single title – but it was a big one.
After finishing nine and 13 points behind Celtic in his first two seasons, Gerrard led Rangers to their first premiership championship in a ten years, which coincidentally prevent their Old Firm rivals an historic tenth consecutive title.
And he did it impressively, with his team undefeated throughout.
Rangers won all of their home games, scored 92 goals and allowed a only 13.
The drawback was that it occurred against a backdrop of the pandemic and fanless grounds.
It continues to be Rangers' only league triumph since 2010-11.
How Did Gerrard's Derby Record Look?
In stark contrast to Martin's unhappy experience, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, remaining 12 games without defeat until his first visit to Parkhead.
In his first campaign the Old Firm results were even, each side securing two home wins, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.
A pair of defeats to Celtic came in the next shortened season, followed by 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 additional and drawing once.
Rangers progressed through four rounds of preliminaries to reach the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's debut season.
In the 2019-20 campaign, they progressed to the knockout rounds of the identical competition, losing out to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, with their run ending at the identical round the next year.
Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?
Aston Villa made an approach in late 2021, forking out £4.5m in compensation.
He departed Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the top of the table – however their local opponents would recover to win by the same margin.
The attraction of the English top flight is strong and it may have been viewed as the natural progression on a dream return to Anfield at a point when his coaching reputation was at its peak.
“Steven and his coaching team have ensured that the club is clearly in a stronger position today than it was several seasons ago,” commented at the time Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.
“We have shared a desire to move Rangers forward, to update our infrastructure and to make the club win again.”
How Did Gerrard's Record at Aston Villa and in Saudi Arabia?
Gerrard failed to complete a year at Villa Park.
Up and down results yielded a mid-table finish at the conclusion of the 2021-22 campaign before a 3-0 loss at Fulham left them 17th in autumn 2022 when he was sacked.
Across 2022, he secured only eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.
He transferred to Saudi Arabia in July 2023 when he took over at the Saudi club.
His latest job lasted 18 months and he moved on with the club placed in 12th in the Saudi Pro League, only five points above the drop zone.
“Overall, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial experience for me and for my family,” he said in late January. “But soccer is uncertain, and at times events don't unfold the way we hope.”
These after Rangers exploits could cause certain hesitation and the individual may have doubts over inheriting a underperforming squad, but Gerrard likely has the character to handle such a high-profile position.
He is the only Rangers boss to have won the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That experience might well be hard to ignore for an under-pressure Rangers leadership.
