Which Insights Should We Take Away from Gerrard's Time as Glasgow Rangers Head Coach?
Steven Gerrard is in the spotlight of discussion after Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on the weekend, while the ex-coach will talk about a possible return with the team's owners.
Those in charge at Rangers have stated that a "thorough, thoughtful hiring procedure" is now in progress.
Other candidates are set to be considered, however if the former Liverpool and England skipper is open to a second stint at the club, could the position as good as his?
The mid-forties manager lately mentioned about “unfinished business” in management and revealed he has started approaching potential members for his backroom team.
In a latest audio interview with Rio Ferdinand, appearing to be recorded prior to Martin's brief tenure ended, Gerrard stated he wanted “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 plan to have at some point, I'll take that challenge on because it's in me.”
Gerrard's Record at Rangers in His First Stint
After gaining experience as a youth development manager at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his first managerial position in the summer of 2018.
Over three complete seasons at Rangers, he won only a single trophy – but it was a big one.
Following placements of nine and 13 points behind Celtic in his first two campaigns, Gerrard guided Rangers to their maiden top-flight championship in a ten years, which coincidentally prevent their Old Firm rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive title.
And he did it in style, with his team unbeaten in the process.
Rangers won all of their home games, scored 92 goals and conceded a mere 13.
The downside was that it occurred against a backdrop of the pandemic and fanless grounds.
It remains Rangers' only league triumph since 2010-11.
How Did Gerrard's Derby Record Look?
In sharp difference to Martin's disappointing spell, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his initial trip to Celtic Park.
In his first season the Old Firm results were shared, each side securing two home victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.
A pair of defeats to Celtic occurred in the following truncated season, followed by Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.
After that, Gerrard remained unbeaten in Old Firm clashes, claiming five more and drawing once.
Rangers progressed through four stages of preliminaries to reach the main phase of the European competition in Gerrard's first season.
In 2019-20, they advanced to the knockout rounds of the identical tournament, losing out to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, with their journey ending at the identical round the following season.
What Led Gerrard Depart Rangers?
The Birmingham club came calling in November 2021, paying £4.5m in compensation.
He departed Rangers four points ahead of Celtic at the summit of the table – but their city rivals would recover to prevail by the same margin.
The lure of the English top flight is strong and it may have been viewed as the next logical step on a dream return to Anfield at a time when his coaching reputation was at its peak.
“Steven and his backroom staff have ensured that the team is undoubtedly in a better place today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” commented then Rangers football executive 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 Villa & Al-Ettifaq?
Gerrard failed to complete a year at Villa Park.
Inconsistent performances yielded a 14th-place finish at the end of season 2021-22 before a three-goal loss at Craven Cottage placed them 17th in October 2022 when he was dismissed.
Across 2022, he secured only eight of his 31 games, losing 15.
He moved to Saudi Arabia in summer 2023 when he took over at the Saudi club.
His most recent job lasted a year and a half and he moved on with the team sitting in 12th in the Saudi league, only five points above the drop zone.
“In summary, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial journey personally and for my family,” he remarked in the end of January. “But football is unpredictable, and at times things don't go the way we want.”
Those post-Ibrox exploits could cause some pause for thought and the man himself might harbor doubts over taking over a underperforming squad, but Gerrard likely has the character to handle such a prominent position.
He is the only Rangers boss to have lifted the championship since the legendary Walter Smith. That achievement could be hard to ignore for an under-pressure Rangers leadership.
