Which Lessons Can We Take Away from Steven Gerrard's Tenure as Glasgow Rangers Manager?

The former Liverpool captain is at the center of discussion after Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, and the ex-coach will discuss a possible return with the club's owners.

The decision-makers at Ibrox have stated that a "comprehensive, considered hiring procedure" is now in progress.

Additional names will be reviewed, but if ex Liverpool and England captain is willing to a second stint at the club, could the position essentially his?

The mid-forties manager lately spoken about “remaining goals” in coaching and disclosed he has started contacting prospective staff for his backroom team.

In a recent podcast interview with the former defender, which seemed to be recorded prior to Martin's short reign ended, Gerrard expressed he wanted “to be at a team that's set to compete to win because I believe that suits me more”.

He added: “If the right call comes my way, the appropriate team, the correct opportunity, and I've got my people set, which I will have at a future date, I'll accept that role because it's part of my nature.”

Performance at Rangers in His First Stint

After gaining knowledge as a youth development manager at Anfield, Gerrard took on his maiden coaching position in the mid-year of 2018.

During three full seasons at Rangers, he secured just one trophy – however it was a big one.

After finishing 13 and nine points after their rivals in his initial pair of campaigns, Gerrard guided Rangers to their first premiership championship in a decade, which coincidentally prevent their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented 10-in-a-row title.

And he did it impressively, with his team unbeaten throughout.

Rangers won all of their domestic games, scored 92 goals and allowed a mere 13.

The drawback was that it came amid of the pandemic and fanless grounds.

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

What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Look?

In stark contrast to Martin's unhappy experience, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, going 12 games without defeat until his first visit to Celtic Park.

In his first season the Old Firm results were even, each side earning two home victories, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.

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

After that, Gerrard stayed undefeated in Old Firm clashes, winning five additional and drawing once.

Rangers progressed through four rounds of preliminaries to enter the group stage of the European competition in Gerrard's debut season.

In 2019-20, they advanced to the knockout rounds of the identical competition, being eliminated to Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, with their run concluding at the same stage the following season.

Why Did Gerrard Depart Rangers?

Aston Villa came calling in late 2021, paying £4.5m in compensation.

He left Rangers four points clear of Celtic at the top of the standings – but their city rivals would claw that back to prevail by the same margin.

The attraction of the Premier League is powerful and it may have been seen as the next logical step on a fairytale return to Liverpool at a time when his managerial stock was at its peak.

“Steven and his backroom staff have ensured that the club is undoubtedly in a better place today than it was several seasons ago,” commented then Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.

“We have had a goal to advance the club, 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 Aston Villa.

Inconsistent performances resulted in a mid-table position at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a three-goal defeat at Craven Cottage left them in 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.

Across 2022, he secured just eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.

He moved to Saudi Arabia in summer 2023 when he took over at Al-Ettifaq.

His most recent role lasted a year and a half and he departed with the club sitting in 12th in the Saudi league, only five points clear of the relegation zone.

“In summary, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial experience for me and for my loved ones,” he said in the end of January. “But football is unpredictable, and at times things don't go the way we want.”

These post-Ibrox exploits may give some hesitation and the individual might harbor concerns over taking over a underperforming squad, but Gerrard likely has the character to handle such a prominent post.

He is the sole Rangers manager to have won the championship since the legendary Walter Smith. That experience might well be hard to ignore for an under-pressure Ibrox board.