Which Lessons Can We Learn from Gerrard's Time as Glasgow Rangers Manager?
Steven Gerrard has been at the center of discussion after Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, while the former manager is set to discuss a possible comeback with the team's leadership.
Those in charge at Rangers have stated that a "comprehensive, considered hiring procedure" is currently underway.
Other candidates will be considered, however if the former Anfield and Three Lions skipper is open to a second stint at Ibrox, is the job as good as his?
The mid-forties coach has recently spoken about “unfinished business” in management and disclosed he has started approaching prospective staff for his coaching team.
In a recent podcast discussion with Rio Ferdinand, which seemed to be recorded before Martin's short tenure ended, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a club that's set to compete to win because I believe that fits me better”.
He continued: “If the right call arrives, the appropriate team, the correct opportunity, and I've got my people set, which I will have at some point, I'll accept that role because it's in me.”
Gerrard's Record at Rangers in His First Stint
After gaining experience as a academy coach at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his first managerial role in the mid-year of 2018.
Over three complete seasons at Ibrox, he won just one trophy – however it was a big one.
After finishing nine and 13 points after Celtic in his first two seasons, Gerrard guided Rangers to their first premiership championship in a decade, which just happened to prevent their Glasgow rivals an historic tenth consecutive win.
And he achieved it impressively, with his team unbeaten in the process.
Rangers won all of their domestic games, scored 92 goals and allowed a only 13.
The downside was that it came amid of Covid and empty stadiums.
It continues to be Rangers' sole league triumph since the 2010-11 season.
How Did Gerrard's Old Firm Record Perform?
In stark contrast to Martin's disappointing spell, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, going 12 games without defeat until his initial trip to Celtic Park.
In his debut campaign the derby results were even, each side securing two home victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.
A pair of defeats to Celtic came in the following truncated season, after which Rangers securing a victory in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.
After that, Gerrard remained undefeated in Old Firm clashes, winning five additional and tying once.
Rangers came through four stages of qualifying to reach the group stage of the European competition in Gerrard's debut season.
In 2019-20, they advanced to the knockout rounds of the identical tournament, being eliminated to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, with their run ending at the same stage the following season.
What Led Gerrard Depart Rangers?
The Birmingham club came calling in late 2021, paying £4.5m in compensation.
He left Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the top of the standings – but their city rivals would claw that back to prevail by the same margin.
The attraction of the English top flight is strong and it could have been seen as the next logical step on a fairytale return to Liverpool at a time when his coaching reputation was high.
“Steven and his coaching team have made sure that the team is undoubtedly in a better place today than it was several seasons ago,” said at the time Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.
“We have shared a desire to move Rangers forward, to update our facilities and to return the team to winning ways.”
How Did Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?
Gerrard did not last a full season at Villa Park.
Inconsistent results yielded a 14th-place finish at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a three-goal loss at Fulham placed them 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.
Across 2022, he secured only eight of his 31 games, losing 15.
He moved to the Middle East in summer 2023 when he assumed control at the Saudi club.
His latest role lasted a year and a half and he moved on with the club sitting 12th in the Saudi league, only five points clear of the drop zone.
“Overall, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a positive journey for me and for my family,” he said in the end of January. “But soccer is unpredictable, and sometimes things don't go the way we want.”
These after Rangers experiences may give some pause for thought and the individual might harbor doubts over inheriting a underperforming team, but Gerrard likely has the personality to handle such a high-profile position.
He is the sole Rangers boss to have lifted the championship since the legendary Walter Smith. That experience could be difficult to overlook for an pressured Ibrox board.
