What Insights Can We Learn from Gerrard's Time as Glasgow Rangers Head Coach?
Steven Gerrard is in the spotlight of conversation since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, while the ex-coach will discuss a potential return with the team's owners.
The decision-makers at Ibrox have stated that a "comprehensive, considered hiring procedure" is currently underway.
Other candidates are set to be considered, however if the former Liverpool and England skipper is willing to a second stint at the club, is the job as good as his?
The mid-forties coach has recently mentioned about “remaining goals” in management and revealed he has begun approaching prospective members for his backroom team.
In a latest audio interview with the former defender, which seemed to be recorded prior to Martin's brief reign concluded, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a team that's set to compete to win because I believe that fits me more”.
He continued: “If the suitable offer arrives, the appropriate team, 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 His First Stint
After gaining experience as a academy coach at Anfield, Gerrard accepted his first managerial role in the summer of 2018.
During three complete campaigns at Rangers, he won only a single title – but it was a big one.
Following placements of nine and 13 points after their rivals in his first two campaigns, Gerrard guided Rangers to their maiden premiership championship in a ten years, which just happened to deny their Old Firm rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive title.
And he achieved it in style, with his team undefeated throughout.
Rangers won all of their domestic games, netted 92 goals and conceded a only 13.
The downside was that it came against a backdrop of the pandemic and empty stadiums.
It continues to be Rangers' only league triumph since 2010-11.
What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Perform?
In sharp difference to Martin's disappointing experience, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his first visit to Celtic Park.
In his first campaign the Old Firm results were even, each side securing two home victories, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.
A pair of defeats 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 derbies, winning five additional and drawing once.
Rangers came through four stages of preliminaries to enter the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's first season.
In the 2019-20 campaign, they progressed to the knockout rounds of the identical competition, being eliminated to the German side in the last 16, with their run ending at the identical round the next year.
What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?
Aston Villa made an approach in late 2021, forking out £4.5m in fees.
He left Rangers four points ahead of Celtic at the summit of the table – however their local opponents would recover to prevail by the identical gap.
The attraction of the English top flight is strong and it may have been viewed as the natural progression on a dream comeback to Anfield at a time when his managerial stock was high.
“Steven and his backroom staff have ensured that the team is undoubtedly in a stronger position today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” said at the time Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.
“We have had a desire to advance the club, to modernise 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 performances yielded a mid-table position at the conclusion of the 2021-22 campaign before a three-goal loss at Fulham placed them 17th in autumn 2022 when he was dismissed.
Across 2022, he won just eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.
He transferred to Saudi Arabia in July 2023 when he took over at Al-Ettifaq.
His most recent role lasted a year and a half and he departed with the club placed 12th in the Saudi Pro League, just five points above the relegation zone.
“Overall, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a positive journey for me and for my loved ones,” he remarked in late January. “But soccer is unpredictable, and at times events don't unfold the way we hope.”
These post-Ibrox exploits may give certain hesitation and the individual may have doubts over taking over a struggling team, but Gerrard probably has the personality to manage such a prominent post.
He is the only Rangers manager to have won the league trophy since the legendary Walter Smith. That experience could be hard to ignore for an under-pressure Rangers leadership.
