What Insights Can We Take Away from Steven Gerrard's Time as Glasgow Rangers Manager?

The former Liverpool captain has been at the center of conversation since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, and the former manager is set to talk about a potential comeback with the team's leadership.

Those in charge at Ibrox have stated that a "comprehensive, thoughtful recruitment process" is currently underway.

Additional names are set to be reviewed, however if the former Anfield and Three Lions captain is willing to a second stint at Ibrox, is the job as good as his?

The 45-year-old coach lately mentioned about “remaining goals” in management and revealed he has begun approaching potential members for his coaching team.

In a latest audio discussion with the former defender, appearing to be filmed before Martin's brief reign ended, Gerrard stated he wanted “to be at a team that's going to challenge to win because I believe that suits me better”.

He added: “If the right call 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.”

Gerrard's Record at Rangers in His First Stint

After gaining knowledge as a academy manager at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching position in the summer of 2018.

During three complete seasons at Rangers, he secured just one title – but it proved significant.

Following placements of 13 and nine points behind Celtic in his initial pair of campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their first top-flight championship in a ten years, which just happened to deny their Old Firm rivals an historic 10-in-a-row win.

And he achieved it impressively, with his team unbeaten in the process.

Rangers triumphed in all of their domestic games, netted 92 goals and allowed a mere 13.

The downside was that it occurred against a backdrop of Covid and empty stadiums.

It remains Rangers' only title success since the 2010-11 season.

How Did Gerrard's Old Firm Record Perform?

In stark contrast to Martin's unhappy experience, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, going 12 games unbeaten until his first visit to Celtic Park.

In his debut season the derby honours were shared, each side securing two domestic wins, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.

A pair of defeats to Celtic occurred in the next shortened season, followed by Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.

From then on, Gerrard stayed unbeaten in derbies, winning five more and drawing once.

Rangers came through four rounds of preliminaries to reach the main phase of the Europa League in Gerrard's first season.

In the 2019-20 campaign, they advanced to the knockout rounds of the identical tournament, losing out to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, with their journey concluding at the identical round the following season.

What Led Gerrard Depart Rangers?

The Birmingham club made an approach in November 2021, paying £4.5m in fees.

He left Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the summit of the standings – but their city rivals would recover to prevail by the same margin.

The attraction of the English top flight is powerful and it may have been seen as the next logical step on a dream comeback to Anfield 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 stronger position today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” said then Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.

“We have shared a goal 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 failed to complete a full season at Villa Park.

Up and down results resulted in a 14th-place position at the end of season 2021-22 before a 3-0 loss at Fulham placed them 17th in autumn 2022 when he was sacked.

Across 2022, he secured only eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.

He moved 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 departed with the team placed in 12th in the Saudi Pro League, just five points clear of the relegation zone.

“Overall, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a positive experience personally and for my family,” he said in the end of January. “But football is uncertain, and at times events don't unfold the way we want.”

These after Rangers experiences may give certain pause for thought and the individual may have concerns over taking over a struggling team, but Gerrard probably has the personality to manage such a prominent position.

He is the sole Rangers manager to have won the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That experience could be difficult to overlook for an pressured Ibrox board.