What Lessons Should We Learn from Steven Gerrard's Time as Glasgow Rangers Manager?
The former Liverpool captain is in the spotlight of discussion after Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on Sunday, and the former manager will talk about a potential comeback with the team's leadership.
The decision-makers at Ibrox announced that a "comprehensive, considered recruitment process" is currently in progress.
Other candidates will be considered, but if the former Liverpool and England skipper is willing to a second stint at Ibrox, could the position as good as his?
The mid-forties manager lately mentioned about “unfinished business” in coaching and revealed he has started contacting prospective staff for his backroom team.
In a latest podcast discussion with the former defender, which seemed to be recorded prior to Martin's short reign ended, Gerrard stated he wanted “to be at a club that's going to challenge to win because I believe that suits me better”.
He continued: “If the suitable offer arrives, the right club, the right challenge, and I've got my people set, which I will have at a future date, I'll accept that role because it's in me.”
Gerrard's Record at Rangers in Initial Period
Having acquired experience as a academy coach at Liverpool, Gerrard took on his first managerial position in the summer of 2018.
Over three full seasons at Rangers, he secured just one trophy – however it proved significant.
Following placements of 13 and nine points after their rivals in his first two campaigns, Gerrard guided Rangers to their first premiership championship in a decade, which just happened to prevent their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented 10-in-a-row win.
And he achieved it in style, with his team undefeated in the process.
Rangers won all of their domestic games, scored 92 goals and conceded a mere 13.
The drawback was that it occurred against a backdrop of Covid and empty stadiums.
It continues to be Rangers' only title success since the 2010-11 season.
How Did Gerrard's Derby Record Look?
In stark contrast to Martin's disappointing experience, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his initial trip to Celtic Park.
In his first campaign the derby results were shared, each side securing two domestic victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.
A pair of defeats to Celtic came in the following truncated season, followed by Rangers securing a victory in the eastern part of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.
From then on, Gerrard stayed unbeaten in derbies, claiming five more and drawing once.
Rangers came through four stages of preliminaries 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 same tournament, losing out to Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, with their run ending at the same stage the following season.
Why Did Gerrard Depart Rangers?
Aston Villa made an approach in November 2021, forking out £4.5m in compensation.
He departed Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the summit of the table – but their city rivals would claw that back to win by the same margin.
The lure of the English top flight is strong and it may have been viewed as the natural progression on a fairytale return to Anfield at a point when his managerial stock was at its peak.
“Steven and his coaching team have ensured that the club is undoubtedly in a better place today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” commented then Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.
“We have shared a desire to move Rangers forward, to update our facilities and to make the club win again.”
What Was Gerrard's Record at Aston Villa and in Saudi Arabia?
Gerrard did not last a year at Villa Park.
Inconsistent results resulted in a mid-table position at the end of the 2021-22 campaign before a three-goal defeat at Craven Cottage left them in 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.
During 2022, he secured just eight of his 31 games, losing 15.
He transferred to the Middle East in summer 2023 when he assumed control at Al-Ettifaq.
His most recent role lasted a year and a half and he departed with the club sitting 12th in the Saudi league, only five points above the relegation zone.
“In summary, 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 soccer is unpredictable, and at times things don't go the way we hope.”
These post-Ibrox experiences could cause certain pause for thought and the man himself may have doubts over taking over a struggling team, but Gerrard likely has the personality to manage such a high-profile position.
He is the only Rangers boss to have lifted the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That experience could be difficult to overlook for an under-pressure Rangers leadership.