Which Lessons Can We Learn from Gerrard's Time as Glasgow Rangers Head Coach?
The former Liverpool captain is at the center of conversation since Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on Sunday, and the former manager will talk about a potential return with the club's leadership.
Those in charge at Ibrox announced that a "thorough, considered hiring procedure" is currently in progress.
Additional names will be considered, but if the former Liverpool and England skipper is open to a return spell at the club, could the position essentially his?
The mid-forties manager lately spoken about “remaining goals” in coaching and revealed he has begun contacting potential staff for his backroom team.
In a latest podcast discussion with Rio Ferdinand, appearing to be filmed prior to Martin's brief reign concluded, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a team that's set to compete to win because I believe that fits me better”.
He continued: “If the suitable offer comes my way, the appropriate team, the correct opportunity, and I've assembled my staff, which I plan to have at a future date, I'll take that challenge on because it's part of my nature.”
Gerrard's Record at Rangers in Initial Period
After gaining knowledge as a youth development manager at Anfield, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching role in the mid-year of 2018.
During three full seasons at Rangers, he won only a single title – but it proved significant.
Following placements of nine and 13 points after their rivals in his first two campaigns, Gerrard guided Rangers to their maiden top-flight title in a decade, which just happened to prevent their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive title.
And he did it impressively, with his team unbeaten in the process.
Rangers triumphed in all of their domestic games, scored 92 goals and allowed a only 13.
The drawback was that it occurred against a backdrop of the pandemic and empty stadiums.
It continues to be Rangers' sole league triumph since 2010-11.
How Did Gerrard's Old Firm Record Look?
In sharp difference to Martin's unhappy spell, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, remaining 12 games without defeat until his first visit to Celtic Park.
In his first season the derby results were shared, each side earning two domestic victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.
A pair of defeats to Celtic occurred in the following shortened season, followed by Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.
From then on, Gerrard remained undefeated in derbies, winning five more and tying once.
Rangers progressed through four stages of preliminaries to enter the main phase of the Europa League in Gerrard's debut season.
In the 2019-20 campaign, they advanced to the elimination stage of the identical competition, being eliminated to the German side in the last 16, with their journey ending at the identical round the following season.
What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?
The Birmingham club came calling in November 2021, forking out £4.5m in compensation.
He departed Rangers four points clear of Celtic at the summit of the standings – however their city rivals would recover to prevail by the identical gap.
The attraction of the Premier League is strong and it may have been seen as the next logical step on a dream return to Liverpool at a time when his managerial stock was at its peak.
“Steven and his coaching team have ensured that the team is undoubtedly in a better place today than it was several seasons ago,” commented at the time Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.
“We have had a desire to move Rangers forward, to modernise 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.
Up and down performances resulted in a mid-table position at the end of the 2021-22 campaign before a 3-0 loss at Craven Cottage placed them 17th in October 2022 when he was dismissed.
During 2022, he secured just eight of his 31 games, losing 15.
He transferred to Saudi Arabia in July 2023 when he assumed control at the Saudi club.
His most recent role continued for 18 months and he moved on with the club placed in 12th in the Saudi league, only five points clear of the relegation zone.
“Overall, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial experience for me and for my loved ones,” he said in late January. “But soccer is uncertain, and sometimes things don't go the way we want.”
Those post-Ibrox exploits may give some pause for thought and the individual may have concerns over inheriting a underperforming squad, but Gerrard likely has the personality to manage such a high-profile post.
He is the sole Rangers manager to have won the championship since the great Walter Smith. That achievement could be difficult to overlook for an pressured Rangers leadership.