What Insights Can We Take Away from Steven Gerrard's Time as Rangers Manager?
Steven Gerrard is at the center of discussion since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, while the ex-coach is set to discuss a potential comeback with the club's leadership.
Those in charge at Rangers have stated that a "comprehensive, considered hiring procedure" is currently in progress.
Other candidates will be considered, but if the former Anfield and Three Lions skipper is willing to a second stint at Ibrox, is the job as good as his?
The 45-year-old coach lately mentioned about “unfinished business” in management and disclosed he has started approaching potential staff for his coaching team.
In a recent audio discussion with Rio Ferdinand, which seemed to be recorded prior to Martin's brief tenure concluded, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a club that's set to challenge to win because I believe that fits me better”.
He added: “If the suitable offer arrives, the right club, the right challenge, and I've assembled my staff, which I will have at a future date, I'll accept that role because it's part of my nature.”
Gerrard's Record at Rangers in Initial Period
Having acquired knowledge as a youth development manager at Anfield, Gerrard took on his maiden coaching role in the mid-year of 2018.
During three full seasons at Rangers, he secured only a single title – however it proved significant.
Following placements of nine and 13 points behind Celtic in his initial pair of campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden top-flight title in a decade, which coincidentally prevent their Old Firm rivals an unprecedented 10-in-a-row win.
And he did it impressively, with his team undefeated throughout.
Rangers triumphed in all of their home games, scored 92 goals and allowed a mere 13.
The drawback was that it occurred against a backdrop of Covid and empty stadiums.
It remains Rangers' only league triumph since 2010-11.
What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Perform?
In sharp difference to Martin's unhappy experience, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, remaining 12 games without defeat until his first visit to Celtic Park.
In his debut season the Old Firm honours were even, each side earning two domestic wins, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.
A pair of defeats to Celtic occurred in the following shortened season, followed by Rangers securing a victory in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.
After that, Gerrard stayed unbeaten in derbies, winning five additional and drawing once.
Rangers progressed through four rounds of qualifying to reach the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's first season.
In 2019-20, they advanced to the knockout rounds of the identical tournament, being eliminated to the German side in the round of 16, with their run ending at the identical round the next year.
Why Did Gerrard Depart Rangers?
The Birmingham club made an approach in late 2021, paying £4.5m in compensation.
He departed Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the summit of the table – but their local opponents would claw that back to win by the same margin.
The attraction of the English top flight is strong and it could have been viewed as the natural progression on a fairytale comeback to Liverpool at a time when his coaching reputation was high.
“Steven and his backroom staff have made sure that the club is clearly in a better place today than it was several seasons ago,” said at the time Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.
“We have shared a goal to advance the club, to modernise our infrastructure and to return the team to winning ways.”
How Did Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?
Gerrard failed to complete a full season at Villa Park.
Inconsistent results resulted in a 14th-place finish at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a 3-0 loss at Fulham placed them in 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.
Across 2022, he won only 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 latest role continued for 18 months and he moved on with the club sitting in 12th in the Saudi league, only five points above the drop zone.
“Overall, I have learned a lot, and it's been a beneficial journey personally and for my family,” he remarked in late January. “But football is unpredictable, and sometimes events don't unfold the way we want.”
Those post-Ibrox exploits may give some hesitation and the man himself may have doubts over taking over a underperforming team, but Gerrard likely has the character to handle such a high-profile post.
He is the sole Rangers boss to have won the championship since the legendary Walter Smith. That achievement could be hard to ignore for an under-pressure Ibrox board.