What Insights Should We Take Away from Gerrard's Time as Glasgow Rangers Manager?
The former Liverpool captain is at the center of conversation after Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on the weekend, while the former manager is set to discuss a possible comeback with the team's leadership.
Those in charge at Rangers have stated that a "comprehensive, considered recruitment procedure" is currently underway.
Additional names will be considered, but if ex Liverpool and England skipper is open to a second stint at Ibrox, could the position essentially his?
The 45-year-old coach lately spoken about “remaining goals” in management and disclosed he has begun contacting potential staff for his backroom team.
In a recent audio discussion with the former defender, which seemed to be recorded prior to Martin's brief reign ended, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a club that's going to compete to win because I think 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 plan to 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 youth development manager at Anfield, Gerrard took on his maiden coaching position in the summer of 2018.
During three complete seasons at Rangers, he won just one trophy – but it proved significant.
After finishing 13 and nine points after their rivals in his initial pair of seasons, Gerrard guided Rangers to their first top-flight championship in a ten years, which coincidentally deny their Glasgow rivals an historic 10-in-a-row win.
And he did it in style, with his team undefeated throughout.
Rangers won all of their home games, netted 92 goals and conceded a only 13.
The drawback was that it came amid of the pandemic and fanless grounds.
It remains Rangers' sole title success since 2010-11.
What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Look?
In stark contrast to Martin's disappointing spell, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his first visit to Celtic Park.
In his debut campaign the derby results were shared, each side securing two domestic wins, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.
A pair of defeats to Celtic came in the next shortened season, after which Rangers securing a victory in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.
From then on, Gerrard stayed unbeaten in derbies, claiming five more and tying once.
Rangers progressed through four rounds of preliminaries to enter the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's first season.
In 2019-20, they advanced to the elimination stage of the same competition, losing out to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, with their journey ending at the identical round the next year.
What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?
Aston Villa came calling in November 2021, paying £4.5m in compensation.
He left Rangers four points clear of Celtic at the top of the table – but their local opponents would recover to prevail by the identical gap.
The attraction of the Premier League is powerful and it may have been viewed as the next logical step on a fairytale comeback to Anfield at a time when his coaching reputation was high.
“Steven and his backroom staff have made sure that the club is clearly in a stronger position today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” commented then Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.
“We have shared a desire to advance the club, to update our facilities and to return the team to winning ways.”
What Was Gerrard's Record at Aston Villa and in Saudi Arabia?
Gerrard did not last a full season at Aston Villa.
Up and down results resulted in a 14th-place finish at the conclusion of the 2021-22 campaign before a three-goal defeat at Fulham placed them in 17th in autumn 2022 when he was sacked.
Across 2022, he secured just eight of his 31 games, losing 15.
He moved to the Middle East in summer 2023 when he assumed control at Al-Ettifaq.
His most recent role continued for a year and a half and he moved on with the team sitting 12th in the Saudi league, just five points above the drop zone.
“In summary, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a positive experience for me and for my loved ones,” he said in the end of January. “But football is uncertain, and at times events don't unfold the way we hope.”
Those post-Ibrox exploits may give certain pause for thought and the man himself might harbor concerns over taking over a struggling team, but Gerrard likely has the personality to manage such a prominent position.
He is the only Rangers boss to have won the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That experience might well be hard to ignore for an pressured Rangers leadership.