What Insights Can We Take Away from Gerrard's Tenure as Rangers Manager?

Steven Gerrard with the Scottish Premiership trophy in May 2021
Steven Gerrard holding the league trophy in spring 2021

The former Liverpool captain is at the center of conversation since Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on Sunday, while the former manager will talk about a potential return with the team's owners.

Those in charge at Rangers have stated that a "comprehensive, considered recruitment procedure" is currently in progress.

Other candidates will be reviewed, however if the former Anfield and Three Lions captain is open to a second stint at Ibrox, could the position essentially his?

The 45-year-old coach has recently spoken about “unfinished business” in coaching and disclosed he has started contacting prospective staff for his backroom team.

In a latest audio interview with the former defender, appearing to be recorded before Martin's short tenure ended, Gerrard expressed he wanted “to be at a club that's set to challenge to win because I believe that suits me more”.

He added: “If the suitable offer arrives, the appropriate team, the correct opportunity, and I've assembled my staff, which I will have at some point, I'll take that challenge on because it's in me.”

Performance at Rangers in Initial Period

Having acquired experience as a youth development manager at Anfield, Gerrard accepted his first managerial role in the mid-year of 2018.

During three complete campaigns at Rangers, he won just one title – however it proved significant.

After finishing 13 and nine points after Celtic in his first two campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden premiership title in a ten years, which coincidentally deny their Old Firm rivals an unprecedented 10-in-a-row win.

And he achieved it in style, with his team undefeated in the process.

Rangers triumphed in all of their home games, scored 92 goals and allowed a mere 13.

The drawback was that it came against a backdrop of Covid and empty stadiums.

It continues to be Rangers' sole title success since 2010-11.

How Did 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 Parkhead.

In his first campaign the derby honours were even, each side securing two domestic wins, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.

Two losses to Celtic occurred in the next shortened season, after which Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.

From then on, Gerrard stayed undefeated in Old Firm clashes, claiming five additional and tying once.

Rangers came through four rounds of qualifying to enter the main phase of the Europa League in Gerrard's first season.

In the 2019-20 campaign, they advanced to the knockout rounds of the identical competition, being eliminated to the German side in the round of 16, with their run ending at the same stage the next year.

Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?

The Birmingham club made an approach in November 2021, forking out £4.5m in compensation.

He departed Rangers four points clear of Celtic at the summit of the table – however their local opponents would claw that back to win by the identical gap.

The attraction of the English top flight is powerful and it may have been seen as the natural progression on a dream comeback to Liverpool at a point when his coaching reputation was high.

“Steven and his coaching team have ensured that the team is clearly in a stronger position today than it was several seasons ago,” said then Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.

“We have shared a desire to move Rangers forward, to modernise our facilities and to return the team to winning ways.”

What Was Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?

Gerrard did not last a year at Villa Park.

Inconsistent results yielded a mid-table position at the end of season 2021-22 before a three-goal loss at Craven Cottage left them 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.

During 2022, he secured just eight of his 31 games, losing 15.

He moved to the Middle East in July 2023 when he assumed control at the Saudi club.

His most recent role continued for 18 months and he departed with the team placed 12th in the Saudi league, only five points above the relegation zone.

“Overall, I have learned a lot, and it's been a positive journey for me and for my loved ones,” he said in the end of January. “But football is uncertain, and sometimes events don't unfold the way we want.”

These after Rangers exploits could cause certain hesitation and the individual may have concerns over inheriting a underperforming team, but Gerrard probably has the character to handle such a high-profile post.

He is the only Rangers boss to have lifted the championship since the legendary Walter Smith. That experience could be difficult to overlook for an under-pressure Rangers leadership.

John Thomas
John Thomas

Seorang analis sepak bola berpengalaman yang fokus pada liga-liga Eropa, khususnya Championship Inggris.