🔗 Share this article Which Lessons Can We Learn from Steven Gerrard's Tenure as Glasgow Rangers Manager? Steven Gerrard lifting the league trophy in May 2021 The former Liverpool captain has been in the spotlight of conversation since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, and the ex-coach will discuss a possible comeback with the team's leadership. Those in charge at Rangers announced that a "comprehensive, considered hiring procedure" is currently in progress. Other candidates will be considered, but if the former Liverpool and England skipper is willing to a second stint at the club, could the position essentially his? The 45-year-old coach lately mentioned about “remaining goals” in coaching and disclosed he has begun contacting potential staff for his backroom team. In a recent podcast interview with the former defender, which seemed to be recorded before Martin's short reign concluded, Gerrard expressed he wanted “to be at a club that's going to challenge to win because I believe that suits me more”. He continued: “If the suitable offer arrives, the appropriate team, the right challenge, 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 knowledge as a youth development manager at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his first managerial role in the summer of 2018. Over three full seasons at Ibrox, he won only a single title – however it proved significant. After finishing nine and 13 points behind Celtic in his initial pair of campaigns, Gerrard guided Rangers to their maiden top-flight title in a ten years, which coincidentally prevent their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive title. And he achieved it in style, with his team undefeated throughout. Rangers won all of their home games, scored 92 goals and allowed a mere 13. The drawback was that it occurred against a backdrop of the pandemic and empty stadiums. It continues to be Rangers' only title success since 2010-11. What Was Gerrard's Old Firm Record Perform? In sharp difference to Martin's unhappy experience, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, remaining 12 games without defeat until his first visit to Parkhead. In his first season the derby honours were shared, each side earning two home victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012. Two losses to Celtic occurred in the next shortened season, followed by Rangers securing a victory in the east end of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010. After that, Gerrard stayed undefeated in derbies, winning five additional and drawing once. Rangers came through four stages of preliminaries to reach the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's first season. In 2019-20, they progressed 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 following season. What Led Gerrard Depart Rangers? Aston Villa made an approach in late 2021, forking out £4.5m in fees. He departed Rangers four points ahead of Celtic at the top of the standings – however their city rivals would claw that back to win by the same margin. The attraction of the Premier League is powerful and it may have been viewed as the next logical step on a fairytale comeback to Liverpool at a point when his managerial stock was at its peak. “Steven and his coaching team have made sure that the team is clearly in a better place today than it was several seasons ago,” said at the time Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson. “We have had a desire to advance the club, to modernise our facilities and to return the team to winning ways.” How Did Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq? Gerrard failed to complete a year at Villa Park. Inconsistent results resulted in a 14th-place position at the end of season 2021-22 before a three-goal loss at Fulham placed them in 17th in autumn 2022 when he was dismissed. During 2022, he secured just eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15. He transferred to Saudi Arabia in July 2023 when he assumed control at Al-Ettifaq. His most recent job continued for a year and a half and he moved on with the club sitting in 12th in the Saudi league, just five points clear of the relegation zone. “In summary, I have learned a lot, and it's been a positive journey personally and for my loved ones,” he remarked in the end of January. “But soccer is unpredictable, and at times things don't go the way we want.” These post-Ibrox experiences could cause certain pause for thought and the individual may have concerns over inheriting a underperforming team, but Gerrard probably has the personality to manage such a prominent post. He is the only Rangers manager to have won the league trophy since the legendary Walter Smith. That experience could be difficult to overlook for an pressured Ibrox board.