What Insights Should We Take Away from Steven Gerrard's Tenure as Rangers Head Coach?
Steven Gerrard is in the spotlight of conversation after Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, while the former manager is set to talk about a potential comeback with the team's leadership.
Those in charge at Rangers have stated that a "comprehensive, thoughtful recruitment process" is currently underway.
Other candidates will be considered, but if the former Liverpool and England skipper is willing to a return spell at Ibrox, could the position essentially his?
The 45-year-old manager has recently mentioned about “remaining goals” in coaching and disclosed he has begun approaching prospective staff for his backroom team.
In a latest audio discussion with the former defender, which seemed to be recorded before Martin's short reign concluded, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a club that's set to compete to win because I think that suits me more”.
He added: “If the suitable offer arrives, the appropriate team, 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 part of my nature.”
Performance at Rangers in Initial Period
Having acquired experience as a academy manager at Anfield, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching role in the mid-year of 2018.
During three complete seasons at Rangers, he won just one title – however it proved significant.
Following placements of nine and 13 points behind Celtic in his first two campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their first premiership championship in a ten years, which coincidentally prevent their Old Firm rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive win.
And he achieved it in style, with his team unbeaten in the process.
Rangers won all of their domestic games, netted 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' sole title success since the 2010-11 season.
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 initial trip to Parkhead.
In his debut season the Old Firm results were even, each side securing 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 securing a victory in the east end of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.
After that, Gerrard stayed undefeated in Old Firm clashes, claiming five more and drawing once.
Rangers came through four stages of preliminaries to enter the main phase of the European competition in Gerrard's first season.
In 2019-20, they advanced to the knockout rounds of the identical tournament, being eliminated to the German side in the last 16, with their journey concluding at the same stage the following season.
Why Did Gerrard Depart Rangers?
The Birmingham club made an approach in November 2021, paying £4.5m in fees.
He departed Rangers four points ahead of Celtic at the top of the standings – but their local opponents would claw that back to win 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 return to Anfield at a time when his coaching reputation was high.
“Steven and his backroom staff have made sure that the team is undoubtedly in a better place today than it was several seasons ago,” commented then Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.
“We have had a goal to advance the club, to update our infrastructure and to make the club win again.”
How Did Gerrard's Record at Aston Villa and in Saudi Arabia?
Gerrard did not last a year at Villa Park.
Inconsistent performances yielded a 14th-place finish at the end of the 2021-22 campaign before a three-goal loss at Craven Cottage left them in 17th in autumn 2022 when he was sacked.
During 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 18 months and he departed with the club sitting in 12th in the Saudi Pro League, just five points above the relegation 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 late January. “But soccer is unpredictable, and sometimes events don't unfold the way we want.”
These post-Ibrox exploits may give some hesitation and the individual may have doubts over inheriting a struggling team, but Gerrard probably has the character to handle such a high-profile post.
He is the sole Rangers manager to have lifted the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That achievement could be difficult to overlook for an pressured Rangers leadership.
