Which Insights Should We Take Away from Gerrard's Tenure as Rangers Head Coach?
Steven Gerrard has been at the center of discussion since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on the weekend, while the former manager is set to talk about a potential comeback with the team's leadership.
Those in charge at Ibrox announced that a "thorough, considered recruitment process" is currently underway.
Other candidates will be considered, however if ex Anfield and Three Lions captain is open to a second stint at Ibrox, could the position as good as his?
The 45-year-old coach lately mentioned about “unfinished business” in management and revealed he has begun approaching prospective members for his coaching team.
In a latest audio interview with the former defender, appearing to be filmed prior to Martin's brief reign ended, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a team that's going to compete to win because I think that fits me more”.
He continued: “If the right call comes my way, the appropriate team, 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 part of my nature.”
Performance at Rangers in His First Stint
Having acquired knowledge as a youth development manager at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching role in the mid-year of 2018.
Over three complete campaigns at Rangers, he won only a single title – however it was a big one.
Following placements of nine and 13 points after Celtic in his first two campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden premiership title in a decade, which coincidentally deny their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive title.
And he did it in style, with his team undefeated in the process.
Rangers won all of their home games, netted 92 goals and conceded a only 13.
The downside was that it came amid of the pandemic and empty stadiums.
It remains Rangers' only league triumph since 2010-11.
How Did Gerrard's Derby Record Look?
In sharp difference to Martin's unhappy experience, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his initial trip to Celtic Park.
In his first campaign the Old Firm honours were even, each side earning two domestic victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.
Two losses to Celtic occurred in the next truncated season, followed by Rangers winning in the east end of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.
After that, Gerrard stayed undefeated in Old Firm clashes, winning five more and tying once.
Rangers progressed through four stages of preliminaries to enter the main phase of the European competition in Gerrard's first season.
In 2019-20, they progressed to the elimination stage of the same competition, being eliminated to the German side in the last 16, with their journey concluding at the same stage the next year.
What Led Gerrard Depart Rangers?
Aston Villa made an approach in late 2021, forking out £4.5m in compensation.
He left Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the summit of the table – however their local opponents would claw that back to prevail by the same margin.
The lure of the Premier League is strong and it may have been viewed as the next logical step on a fairytale return to Anfield at a point when his coaching reputation was high.
“Steven and his coaching team have ensured that the club is clearly 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 update our facilities and to make the club win again.”
How Did Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?
Gerrard failed to complete a year at Villa Park.
Up and down results resulted in a mid-table position at the end of the 2021-22 campaign before a 3-0 defeat at Fulham left them 17th in October 2022 when he was dismissed.
During 2022, he won only eight of his 31 games, losing 15.
He transferred to Saudi Arabia in July 2023 when he took over at the Saudi club.
His latest role lasted 18 months and he departed with the team placed 12th in the Saudi Pro League, just five points clear of the drop zone.
“In summary, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial experience for me and for my loved ones,” he said in late January. “But football is unpredictable, and sometimes events don't unfold the way we want.”
Those after Rangers exploits may give certain hesitation and the individual may have concerns over taking over a underperforming team, but Gerrard probably has the personality to handle such a high-profile position.
He is the sole Rangers boss to have lifted the championship since the great Walter Smith. That achievement could be difficult to overlook for an under-pressure Ibrox board.
