Which Insights Should We Learn from Steven Gerrard's Time as Rangers Manager?

Steven Gerrard with the Scottish Premiership trophy in May 2021
Steven Gerrard holding the Scottish Premiership trophy in May 2021

The former Liverpool captain is at the center of discussion after Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, and the ex-coach will discuss a potential return with the club's owners.

The decision-makers at Rangers announced that a "thorough, thoughtful hiring procedure" is currently in progress.

Other candidates are set to be reviewed, however if the former Liverpool and England skipper is willing to a return spell at Ibrox, could the position as good as his?

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

In a recent audio interview with Rio Ferdinand, which seemed to be recorded before Martin's brief reign concluded, Gerrard stated he wanted “to be at a team that's set to compete to win because I believe that fits me better”.

He continued: “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 a future date, I'll accept that role because it's part of my nature.”

Gerrard's Record at Rangers in Initial Period

After gaining knowledge 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 Ibrox, he won only a single title – however it proved significant.

Following placements of nine and 13 points after Celtic in his initial pair of campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden top-flight championship in a decade, which coincidentally deny their Old Firm rivals an historic tenth consecutive title.

And he did it in style, with his team undefeated in the process.

Rangers won all of their home games, netted 92 goals and allowed a mere 13.

The drawback was that it came amid of the pandemic and fanless grounds.

It continues to be Rangers' sole league triumph since 2010-11.

What Was Gerrard's Old Firm Record Perform?

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

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

Two losses to Celtic came in the next truncated season, followed by Rangers securing a victory in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.

From then on, Gerrard remained unbeaten in derbies, claiming five additional and tying once.

Rangers came through four stages of preliminaries to enter the main phase of the Europa League in Gerrard's debut season.

In the 2019-20 campaign, they progressed to the elimination stage of the identical competition, being eliminated to the German side in the last 16, with their run concluding at the same stage the next year.

What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?

Aston Villa came calling in late 2021, paying £4.5m in compensation.

He left Rangers four points clear of Celtic at the top of the standings – but their local opponents would claw that back to win by the same margin.

The lure of the Premier League is powerful and it may have been viewed as the natural progression on a dream comeback to Liverpool at a time when his coaching reputation was at its peak.

“Steven and his coaching team have ensured that the team is undoubtedly in a better place today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” commented then Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.

“We have had a goal to advance the club, 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 Aston Villa.

Inconsistent performances yielded a mid-table position at the end of the 2021-22 campaign before a three-goal defeat at Fulham placed them in 17th in autumn 2022 when he was sacked.

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

He transferred to the Middle East in summer 2023 when he assumed control at Al-Ettifaq.

His latest job lasted a year and a half and he departed with the team placed 12th in the Saudi league, just five points above the relegation zone.

“In summary, I have learned a lot, and it's been a beneficial experience for me and for my family,” he said in the end of January. “But football is uncertain, and at times things don't go the way we want.”

These post-Ibrox experiences could cause certain pause for thought and the man himself might harbor doubts over taking over a underperforming squad, but Gerrard likely has the character to manage such a prominent post.

He is the only Rangers manager to have won the championship since the legendary Walter Smith. That experience could be hard to ignore for an under-pressure Ibrox board.

Susan Williamson
Susan Williamson

A tech journalist and innovation strategist with over a decade of experience in the digital industry, passionate about emerging technologies.