Which Lessons Can We Learn from Steven Gerrard's Tenure as Rangers Head Coach?
Steven Gerrard has been in the spotlight of conversation after Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on the weekend, and the former manager is set to discuss a possible return with the team's leadership.
Those in charge at Rangers have stated that a "comprehensive, thoughtful recruitment procedure" is currently in progress.
Additional names are set to be reviewed, however if ex Anfield and Three Lions skipper is open to a second stint at the club, could the position as good as his?
The 45-year-old coach has recently mentioned about “remaining goals” in management and revealed he has begun contacting potential staff for his backroom team.
In a recent podcast discussion with the former defender, appearing to be recorded before Martin's short tenure concluded, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a club that's going to compete to win because I think that fits me more”.
He added: “If the right call arrives, the appropriate team, the right challenge, and I've assembled my staff, which I will have at a future date, I'll accept that role because it's part of my nature.”
Performance at Rangers in Initial Period
Having acquired knowledge as a youth development coach at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching position in the summer of 2018.
Over three full seasons at Rangers, he won just one trophy – however it proved significant.
Following placements of 13 and nine points behind their rivals in his initial pair of campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their first premiership title in a ten years, which coincidentally prevent their Old Firm rivals an historic tenth consecutive title.
And he did it in style, with his team unbeaten throughout.
Rangers triumphed in all of their domestic games, netted 92 goals and conceded a only 13.
The drawback was that it occurred against a backdrop of Covid and fanless grounds.
It continues to be Rangers' sole title success since the 2010-11 season.
What Was Gerrard's Old Firm Record Look?
In stark contrast to Martin's unhappy experience, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, going 12 games without defeat until his initial trip to Parkhead.
In his debut campaign the derby results were even, each side securing two domestic victories, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.
Two losses to Celtic occurred in the following truncated season, after which Rangers securing a victory in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.
After that, Gerrard remained unbeaten in derbies, winning five additional and drawing once.
Rangers progressed through four stages of qualifying to enter the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's debut season.
In the 2019-20 campaign, they advanced to the elimination stage of the identical competition, losing out to Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, with their journey ending at the same stage the following season.
Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?
The Birmingham club came calling in late 2021, forking out £4.5m in fees.
He left Rangers four points ahead of Celtic at the top of the table – but their local opponents would recover to win by the identical gap.
The attraction of the English top flight is powerful and it may have been viewed as the natural progression on a dream comeback to Anfield at a time when his coaching reputation was at its peak.
“Steven and his coaching team have made sure that the team is undoubtedly in a better place today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” said then Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.
“We have had a goal to advance the club, to modernise our infrastructure and to return the team to winning ways.”
How Did Gerrard's Record at Aston Villa and in Saudi Arabia?
Gerrard did not last a year at Villa Park.
Up and down results yielded a 14th-place finish at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a three-goal defeat at Craven Cottage placed them 17th in autumn 2022 when he was sacked.
Across 2022, he secured just eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.
He transferred to the Middle East in July 2023 when he assumed control at Al-Ettifaq.
His latest job continued for 18 months and he moved on with the club placed in 12th in the Saudi Pro League, only five points clear of the relegation zone.
“Overall, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial journey personally and for my family,” he said in late January. “But soccer is uncertain, and at times events don't unfold the way we hope.”
These after Rangers experiences may give certain hesitation and the man himself may have concerns over inheriting a struggling squad, but Gerrard likely has the personality to handle such a prominent post.
He is the sole Rangers manager to have lifted the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That achievement might well be difficult to overlook for an under-pressure Rangers leadership.
