What Insights Should We Take Away from Gerrard's Tenure as Rangers Manager?
Steven Gerrard has been at the center of conversation after Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on the weekend, while the ex-coach is set to discuss a possible return with the team's owners.
Those in charge at Ibrox announced that a "comprehensive, thoughtful recruitment procedure" is currently underway.
Other candidates will be considered, but if ex Anfield and Three Lions skipper is open to a second stint at Ibrox, could the position essentially his?
The mid-forties coach lately spoken about “unfinished business” in management and disclosed he has begun contacting prospective staff for his backroom team.
In a recent podcast interview with Rio Ferdinand, appearing to be filmed prior to Martin's brief tenure concluded, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a club that's set to compete to win because I believe that fits me more”.
He continued: “If the right call arrives, the appropriate team, the right challenge, and I've assembled my staff, which I will have at some point, I'll take that challenge on because it's part of my nature.”
Performance at Rangers in Initial Period
After gaining knowledge as a academy coach at Liverpool, Gerrard took on his maiden coaching position in the mid-year of 2018.
Over three complete seasons at Ibrox, he won just one title – but it proved significant.
After finishing nine and 13 points behind Celtic in his initial pair of campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden premiership championship in a decade, which just happened to prevent their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive title.
And he achieved it impressively, with his team unbeaten throughout.
Rangers triumphed in all of their home games, scored 92 goals and allowed a only 13.
The drawback was that it occurred amid of Covid and empty stadiums.
It continues to be Rangers' only title success since 2010-11.
How Did Gerrard's Old Firm Record Look?
In stark contrast to Martin's unhappy spell, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, remaining 12 games without defeat until his initial trip to Parkhead.
In his first campaign the derby honours were even, each side securing two home wins, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.
A pair of defeats to Celtic occurred in the next shortened season, after which Rangers winning in the east end of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.
From then on, Gerrard remained unbeaten in derbies, claiming five additional and drawing once.
Rangers came through four rounds of qualifying to reach the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's debut season.
In 2019-20, they advanced to the elimination stage of the identical tournament, being eliminated to Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, with their run ending at the same stage the next year.
Why Did Gerrard Depart Rangers?
Aston Villa came calling in November 2021, forking out £4.5m in fees.
He departed Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the summit of the standings – but their local opponents would claw that back to prevail by the identical gap.
The lure of the English top flight is powerful and it could have been viewed as the next logical step on a dream return to Liverpool at a point when his coaching reputation was high.
“Steven and his coaching team have made sure that the team is undoubtedly in a stronger position 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 update our infrastructure and to make the club win again.”
How Did Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?
Gerrard failed to complete a year at Aston Villa.
Inconsistent performances yielded a 14th-place finish at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a three-goal loss at Craven Cottage placed them in 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.
Across 2022, he secured only eight of his 31 games, losing 15.
He transferred to Saudi Arabia in July 2023 when he took over at Al-Ettifaq.
His most recent job lasted a year and a half and he departed with the team placed in 12th in the Saudi Pro League, only five points above the relegation zone.
“In summary, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial journey for me and for my family,” he remarked in the end of January. “But soccer is uncertain, and at times things don't go the way we want.”
These after Rangers experiences may give some pause for thought and the individual may have doubts over taking over a struggling team, but Gerrard likely has the character to manage such a prominent position.
He is the only Rangers boss to have won the championship since the great Walter Smith. That achievement could be difficult to overlook for an pressured Rangers leadership.