What Lessons Should We Learn from Steven Gerrard's Tenure as Glasgow Rangers Manager?
Steven Gerrard is at the center of conversation since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on the weekend, while the ex-coach will talk about a possible comeback with the team's owners.
The decision-makers at Ibrox have stated that a "thorough, considered recruitment procedure" is now underway.
Additional names will be considered, however if ex Anfield and Three Lions skipper is open to a second stint at Ibrox, could the position as good as his?
The mid-forties coach has recently mentioned about “unfinished business” in management and disclosed he has started approaching potential members for his coaching team.
In a latest podcast discussion with Rio Ferdinand, appearing to be recorded before Martin's brief tenure concluded, Gerrard stated he wanted “to be at a team that's going to challenge to win because I believe that fits me more”.
He added: “If the suitable offer arrives, the appropriate team, the correct opportunity, and I've got my people set, which I will have at some point, I'll take that challenge on because it's in me.”
Performance at Rangers in Initial Period
After gaining knowledge as a academy manager at Anfield, Gerrard took on his maiden coaching position in the mid-year of 2018.
During three full seasons at Rangers, he won just one title – but it was a big one.
After finishing 13 and nine points after their rivals in his initial pair of seasons, Gerrard guided Rangers to their maiden top-flight title in a decade, which coincidentally prevent their Old Firm rivals an historic tenth consecutive win.
And he did it in style, with his team unbeaten in the process.
Rangers triumphed in all of their home games, scored 92 goals and allowed a only 13.
The drawback was that it came against a backdrop of the pandemic and empty stadiums.
It remains Rangers' sole title success since 2010-11.
How Did Gerrard's Derby Record Perform?
In stark contrast to Martin's unhappy spell, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, going 12 games without defeat until his first visit to Parkhead.
In his first campaign the Old Firm honours were even, each side securing two domestic wins, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.
Two losses to Celtic occurred in the following truncated season, after which Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.
From then on, Gerrard remained unbeaten in Old Firm clashes, claiming five additional and tying once.
Rangers came through four stages of preliminaries to enter the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's debut season.
In the 2019-20 campaign, they advanced to the knockout rounds of the identical competition, being eliminated to the German side in the round of 16, with their journey concluding at the same stage the next year.
What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?
The Birmingham club came calling in November 2021, paying £4.5m in compensation.
He departed Rangers with a lead clear of Celtic at the top of the table – however their local opponents would claw that back to win by the same margin.
The attraction of the English top flight is powerful and it may have been viewed as the natural progression on a dream return to Anfield at a time when his managerial stock was high.
“Steven and his backroom staff have made sure that the team is undoubtedly 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 advance the club, to update our facilities and to return the team to winning ways.”
What Was Gerrard's Record at Aston Villa and in Saudi Arabia?
Gerrard failed to complete a year at Villa Park.
Up and down performances yielded a 14th-place finish at the conclusion of the 2021-22 campaign before a 3-0 defeat at Craven Cottage placed them in 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.
Across 2022, he won just eight of his 31 games, losing 15.
He moved to Saudi Arabia in July 2023 when he assumed control at the Saudi club.
His most recent role continued for a year and a half and he departed with the team placed in 12th in the Saudi Pro League, just five points above the relegation zone.
“In summary, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a positive journey personally and for my loved ones,” he said in late January. “But football is unpredictable, and sometimes things don't go the way we hope.”
These after Rangers experiences may give certain pause for thought and the man himself may have doubts over taking over a underperforming team, but Gerrard likely has the personality to handle such a prominent post.
He is the sole Rangers boss to have lifted the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That experience could be difficult to overlook for an under-pressure Ibrox board.