What Lessons Should We Learn from Gerrard's Tenure as Glasgow Rangers Manager?

Steven Gerrard is at the center of conversation after Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on Sunday, and the former manager is set to talk about a potential return with the club's leadership.

The decision-makers at Ibrox have stated that a "thorough, considered recruitment procedure" is now underway.

Additional names are set to be considered, however if ex Liverpool and England skipper is open to a second stint at Ibrox, is the job essentially his?

The mid-forties coach lately mentioned about “remaining goals” in coaching and disclosed he has begun approaching prospective staff for his coaching team.

In a latest podcast interview with Rio Ferdinand, which seemed to be filmed before Martin's short reign concluded, Gerrard expressed he wanted “to be at a club that's set to compete to win because I believe that fits me better”.

He continued: “If the suitable offer comes my way, the right club, the correct opportunity, and I've got my people set, 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 academy manager at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his first managerial position in the mid-year of 2018.

During three full campaigns at Rangers, he won only a single trophy – however it was a big one.

After finishing nine and 13 points behind their rivals in his initial pair of seasons, Gerrard guided Rangers to their maiden premiership championship in a decade, which coincidentally prevent their Glasgow rivals an historic tenth consecutive win.

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

Rangers triumphed in all of their domestic games, netted 92 goals and allowed a only 13.

The drawback was that it occurred against a backdrop of Covid and fanless grounds.

It continues to be Rangers' sole league triumph since the 2010-11 season.

What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Perform?

In sharp difference to Martin's unhappy experience, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his initial trip to Parkhead.

In his debut campaign the derby honours were even, each side earning two domestic victories, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.

A pair of defeats to Celtic occurred in the next shortened season, followed by Rangers winning in the east end of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.

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

Rangers came through four stages of preliminaries to reach the group stage 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 concluding at the same stage the next year.

What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?

The Birmingham club came calling in late 2021, forking out £4.5m in compensation.

He left Rangers four points ahead of Celtic at the summit of the table – but their city rivals would claw that back to prevail by the identical gap.

The attraction of the English top flight is strong and it could have been viewed as the next logical step on a dream comeback to Anfield at a time when his coaching reputation was at its peak.

“Steven and his backroom staff have ensured that the team is clearly in a stronger position today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” commented at the time Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.

“We have had a desire to advance the club, to update our infrastructure and to make the club win again.”

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

Gerrard did not last a full season at Villa Park.

Inconsistent performances resulted in a 14th-place finish at the end of the 2021-22 campaign before a three-goal loss at Fulham left them in 17th in autumn 2022 when he was sacked.

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

He transferred to the Middle East in July 2023 when he assumed control at Al-Ettifaq.

His latest role continued for a year and a half and he moved on with the club placed in 12th in the Saudi Pro League, just five points clear of the drop zone.

“Overall, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a positive journey personally and for my family,” he remarked in late January. “But football is unpredictable, and sometimes events don't unfold the way we want.”

These post-Ibrox exploits could cause certain hesitation and the man himself might harbor doubts over inheriting a struggling squad, but Gerrard likely has the character to manage such a high-profile post.

He is the sole Rangers boss to have won the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That experience might well be hard to ignore for an pressured Ibrox board.