Which Lessons Should We Learn from Steven Gerrard's Tenure as Glasgow Rangers Manager?
The former Liverpool captain has been in the spotlight of conversation since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, and the ex-coach is set to talk about a possible comeback with the club's leadership.
The decision-makers at Ibrox have stated that a "comprehensive, considered hiring process" is now underway.
Other candidates are set to be considered, however if ex Anfield and Three Lions captain is willing to a return spell at the club, could the position essentially his?
The mid-forties manager lately mentioned about “remaining goals” in management and revealed he has started contacting potential members for his backroom team.
In a latest audio discussion with the former defender, appearing to be filmed prior to Martin's short reign ended, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a club that's going to challenge to win because I think that fits me more”.
He continued: “If the right call arrives, the right club, the correct opportunity, and I've assembled my staff, which I plan to have at a future date, I'll take that challenge on because it's part of my nature.”
Performance at Rangers in Initial Period
Having acquired experience as a youth development coach at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching position in the mid-year of 2018.
Over three full campaigns at Ibrox, he secured just one title – but it was a big one.
After finishing 13 and nine points behind their rivals in his initial pair of seasons, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden top-flight championship in a ten years, which just happened to prevent their Old Firm rivals an historic 10-in-a-row title.
And he achieved it in style, with his team undefeated in the process.
Rangers triumphed in all of their home games, netted 92 goals and allowed a mere 13.
The downside was that it occurred amid of the pandemic and fanless grounds.
It remains Rangers' sole league triumph since the 2010-11 season.
What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Perform?
In sharp difference to Martin's disappointing experience, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, going 12 games without defeat until his initial trip to Celtic Park.
In his first season the derby honours 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 truncated season, followed by Rangers securing a victory in the eastern part of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.
From then on, Gerrard remained undefeated in derbies, claiming five more and tying once.
Rangers came through four stages of qualifying to enter the main phase of the European competition in Gerrard's debut season.
In 2019-20, they advanced to the elimination stage of the same competition, losing out to the German side in the last 16, with their journey concluding at the identical round the next year.
What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?
The Birmingham club made an approach in late 2021, forking out £4.5m in compensation.
He departed Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the summit of the table – but their city rivals would claw that back to win by the same margin.
The lure of the Premier League is strong and it could have been viewed as the next logical step on a fairytale comeback to Liverpool at a point when his managerial stock was at its peak.
“Steven and his backroom staff have ensured that the team is clearly in a stronger position today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” said at the time Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.
“We have shared a goal to move Rangers forward, to update our infrastructure and to make the club win again.”
What Was Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?
Gerrard failed to complete a full season at Aston Villa.
Up and down performances resulted in a mid-table finish at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a 3-0 defeat at Fulham placed them 17th in autumn 2022 when he was dismissed.
Across 2022, he secured only eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.
He transferred to Saudi Arabia in July 2023 when he assumed control at Al-Ettifaq.
His latest role continued for 18 months and he departed with the club placed 12th in the Saudi league, only five points clear of the drop zone.
“In summary, I have learned a lot, and it's been a positive journey for me and for my loved ones,” he remarked in the end of January. “But football is uncertain, and at times things don't go the way we want.”
Those after Rangers experiences may give some pause for thought and the man himself might harbor concerns over taking over a struggling squad, but Gerrard probably has the character to handle such a prominent post.
He is the only Rangers boss to have won the league trophy since the legendary Walter Smith. That experience could be difficult to overlook for an pressured Ibrox board.