What Lessons Can We Learn from Steven Gerrard's Time as Glasgow Rangers Manager?

Steven Gerrard has been in the spotlight of conversation after Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on the weekend, and the ex-coach will talk about a possible comeback with the club's owners.

The decision-makers at Ibrox announced that a "comprehensive, considered recruitment process" is currently underway.

Additional names will be reviewed, but if ex Anfield and Three Lions skipper is open to a second stint at the club, is the job essentially his?

The 45-year-old coach lately mentioned about “remaining goals” in coaching and revealed he has started contacting prospective members for his backroom team.

In a recent podcast interview with Rio Ferdinand, which seemed to be filmed before Martin's short reign concluded, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a club that's set to challenge to win because I think that suits me more”.

He added: “If the right call arrives, the appropriate team, the correct opportunity, and I've assembled my staff, which I will have at a future date, I'll take that challenge on because it's in me.”

Gerrard's Record at Rangers in His First Stint

After gaining experience as a youth development manager at Anfield, Gerrard took on his first managerial position in the mid-year of 2018.

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

Following placements of nine and 13 points behind Celtic in his first two seasons, Gerrard guided Rangers to their first premiership title in a decade, which just happened to prevent their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive win.

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

Rangers triumphed in all of their home games, scored 92 goals and conceded a only 13.

The drawback was that it occurred against a backdrop of the pandemic and empty stadiums.

It remains Rangers' sole league triumph since 2010-11.

What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Perform?

In sharp difference to Martin's unhappy spell, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his first visit to Celtic Park.

In his debut season the derby results were even, each side securing two home victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.

Two losses to Celtic occurred in the following 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 undefeated in derbies, winning five more and drawing once.

Rangers progressed through four stages of qualifying to enter the main phase of the European competition in Gerrard's first season.

In 2019-20, they advanced to the elimination stage of the identical competition, being eliminated 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 November 2021, forking out £4.5m in fees.

He left Rangers four points ahead of Celtic at the summit of the table – but their city rivals would recover to prevail by the same margin.

The lure of the Premier League is strong and it may have been seen as the natural progression on a dream return to Anfield at a point when his coaching reputation was high.

“Steven and his coaching team have ensured that the team is undoubtedly 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 goal to move Rangers forward, to update our facilities and to make the club win again.”

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

Gerrard did not last a full season at Aston Villa.

Up and down performances yielded a 14th-place position at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a 3-0 loss at Craven Cottage left them in 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.

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

He moved to Saudi Arabia in summer 2023 when he assumed control at the Saudi club.

His most recent role lasted 18 months and he moved on with the club placed 12th in the Saudi Pro League, just five points above the drop zone.

“Overall, I have learned a lot, and it's been a positive experience personally and for my loved ones,” he remarked in late January. “But football is unpredictable, and sometimes things don't go the way we want.”

Those after Rangers experiences could cause certain hesitation and the man himself may have concerns over taking over a underperforming squad, but Gerrard probably has the character to manage such a high-profile position.

He is the only Rangers manager to have lifted the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That achievement could be hard to ignore for an under-pressure Rangers leadership.