What Insights Should We Learn from Steven Gerrard's Tenure as Rangers Head Coach?
Steven Gerrard has been in the spotlight of discussion since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, and the ex-coach will discuss a possible 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 are set to be considered, however if the former Liverpool and England captain is willing to a second stint at Ibrox, could the position essentially his?
The 45-year-old manager has recently mentioned about “unfinished business” in management and disclosed he has begun contacting potential members for his coaching team.
In a latest podcast discussion with the former defender, which seemed to be filmed prior to Martin's brief reign concluded, Gerrard stated he wanted “to be at a team that's going to compete to win because I think that suits me more”.
He added: “If the suitable offer 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 Initial Period
Having acquired knowledge as a academy manager at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching role in the mid-year of 2018.
Over three full campaigns at Rangers, he secured only a single title – but it proved significant.
Following placements of 13 and nine points behind Celtic in his first two campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden premiership title in a ten years, which just happened to prevent their Old Firm rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive title.
And he achieved it impressively, with his team undefeated throughout.
Rangers triumphed in all of their home games, netted 92 goals and conceded a only 13.
The downside was that it came against a backdrop of Covid and fanless grounds.
It remains Rangers' only title success since 2010-11.
What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Perform?
In sharp difference to Martin's unhappy spell, 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 home victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.
A pair of defeats to Celtic occurred in the next shortened season, after which Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.
After that, Gerrard remained unbeaten in Old Firm clashes, claiming five more and drawing once.
Rangers came through four rounds of qualifying to reach the main phase of the European competition in Gerrard's debut season.
In the 2019-20 campaign, they progressed to the elimination stage of the same tournament, being eliminated to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, with their journey ending at the identical round the following season.
Why Did Gerrard Depart Rangers?
Aston Villa made an approach in late 2021, paying £4.5m in fees.
He left Rangers four points clear of Celtic at the top of the table – but their city rivals would recover to win by the identical gap.
The attraction of the English top flight is powerful and it could have been seen as the next logical step on a dream return to Liverpool at a point when his coaching reputation was at its peak.
“Steven and his backroom staff have made sure that the club is undoubtedly in a better place today than it was several seasons ago,” commented at the time Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.
“We have shared a goal to move Rangers forward, to modernise our infrastructure and to return the team to winning ways.”
What Was Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?
Gerrard did not last a full season at Aston Villa.
Up and down results resulted in a 14th-place finish at the end of season 2021-22 before a 3-0 loss at Fulham left them in 17th in October 2022 when he was dismissed.
During 2022, he secured just eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.
He transferred to the Middle East in summer 2023 when he assumed control at the Saudi club.
His most recent role lasted 18 months and he moved on with the club placed in 12th in the Saudi Pro League, just five points above the relegation zone.
“Overall, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial experience for me and for my family,” he remarked in the end of January. “But football is uncertain, and sometimes things don't go the way we want.”
These post-Ibrox exploits could cause some hesitation and the man himself may have concerns over taking over a struggling squad, but Gerrard probably has the character to manage such a high-profile position.
He is the only Rangers boss to have lifted the championship since the legendary Walter Smith. That achievement might well be difficult to overlook for an pressured Rangers leadership.