Which Lessons Can We Take Away from Steven Gerrard's Tenure as Rangers Head Coach?
Steven Gerrard is in the spotlight of discussion since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, and the former manager is set to discuss a potential comeback with the team's leadership.
Those in charge at Ibrox announced that a "thorough, thoughtful hiring process" is now in progress.
Other candidates are set to be reviewed, but if ex Liverpool and England skipper is willing to a second stint at Ibrox, could the position essentially his?
The mid-forties manager lately spoken about “unfinished business” in management and disclosed he has started approaching potential staff for his coaching team.
In a latest audio interview with Rio Ferdinand, which seemed to be recorded prior to Martin's short tenure concluded, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a club that's going to compete to win because I believe that suits me more”.
He added: “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 some point, I'll take that challenge on because it's in me.”
Performance at Rangers in Initial Period
After gaining knowledge as a academy manager at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his first managerial position in the summer of 2018.
Over three complete campaigns at Rangers, he won only a single title – but it was a big one.
After finishing 13 and nine points behind Celtic in his first two seasons, Gerrard guided Rangers to their maiden top-flight championship in a decade, which coincidentally deny their Old Firm rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive title.
And he did it in style, with his team undefeated throughout.
Rangers won all of their home games, netted 92 goals and conceded a mere 13.
The downside was that it came against a backdrop of Covid and empty stadiums.
It remains Rangers' sole league triumph since the 2010-11 season.
What Was Gerrard's Old Firm Record Look?
In stark contrast to Martin's disappointing spell, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his initial trip to Parkhead.
In his debut campaign the derby honours 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 truncated season, after which Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.
After that, Gerrard stayed unbeaten in derbies, claiming five more and drawing once.
Rangers came through four rounds of preliminaries to reach 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 the German side in the round of 16, with their journey concluding at the same stage the next year.
What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?
Aston Villa made an approach in late 2021, forking out £4.5m in fees.
He departed Rangers with a lead clear of Celtic at the summit of the standings – but their city rivals would recover to win by the identical gap.
The attraction of the Premier League is powerful and it may have been viewed as the natural progression on a dream comeback to Liverpool at a point when his managerial stock was high.
“Steven and his backroom staff have ensured that the team is undoubtedly in a better place today than it was several seasons ago,” commented at the time Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.
“We have shared a desire to move Rangers forward, to update our infrastructure and to make the club win again.”
How Did Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?
Gerrard did not last a full season at Aston Villa.
Inconsistent performances resulted in a mid-table position at the conclusion of the 2021-22 campaign before a 3-0 loss at Craven Cottage left them 17th in October 2022 when he was dismissed.
Across 2022, he secured just eight of his 31 games, losing 15.
He transferred to the Middle East in July 2023 when he took over at the Saudi club.
His most recent job continued for a year and a half and he moved on with the team sitting in 12th in the Saudi Pro League, only five points above the relegation zone.
“Overall, I have learned a lot, and it's been a beneficial experience personally and for my family,” he remarked in the end of January. “But football is uncertain, and sometimes events don't unfold the way we hope.”
Those post-Ibrox exploits may give certain pause for thought and the man himself might harbor concerns over inheriting a struggling squad, but Gerrard likely has the character to manage such a prominent post.
He is the sole Rangers boss to have won the league trophy since the legendary Walter Smith. That achievement might well be difficult to overlook for an under-pressure Rangers leadership.
