What Lessons Can We Learn from Gerrard's Tenure as Glasgow Rangers Head Coach?
Steven Gerrard has been in the spotlight of conversation after Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on the weekend, and the former manager will talk about a possible comeback with the club's leadership.
Those in charge at Ibrox have stated that a "comprehensive, considered hiring procedure" is now underway.
Additional names will be reviewed, however if ex Anfield and Three Lions skipper is open to a return spell at the club, could the position essentially his?
The mid-forties coach has recently mentioned about “remaining goals” in coaching and revealed he has begun approaching prospective staff for his backroom team.
In a recent podcast interview with the former defender, appearing to be recorded prior to Martin's short tenure concluded, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a team that's going to compete to win because I think that suits me better”.
He continued: “If the right call arrives, the appropriate team, the correct opportunity, and I've assembled my staff, which I will have at a future date, I'll take that challenge on because it's in me.”
Performance at Rangers in Initial Period
After gaining knowledge as a academy coach at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his first managerial position in the mid-year of 2018.
Over three full seasons at Ibrox, he secured only a single title – but it was a big one.
Following placements of nine and 13 points behind Celtic in his first two seasons, Gerrard led Rangers to their first premiership title in a ten years, which coincidentally prevent their Old Firm rivals an historic 10-in-a-row win.
And he achieved it in style, with his team unbeaten in the process.
Rangers triumphed in all of their domestic games, scored 92 goals and conceded a mere 13.
The drawback was that it came amid of the pandemic and empty stadiums.
It continues to be Rangers' sole league triumph since the 2010-11 season.
How Did Gerrard's Derby Record Perform?
In stark contrast to Martin's disappointing experience, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his first visit to Parkhead.
In his first season the derby honours were even, each side earning two home victories, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.
Two losses to Celtic came in the next shortened season, followed by Rangers securing a victory in the east end of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.
From then on, Gerrard remained unbeaten in Old Firm clashes, winning five more and drawing once.
Rangers progressed through four rounds 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 same tournament, being eliminated to the German side in the last 16, with their run ending at the same stage the following season.
Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?
The Birmingham club made an approach in late 2021, paying £4.5m in fees.
He left Rangers with a lead clear of Celtic at the summit of the table – however their city rivals would recover to prevail by the identical gap.
The lure of the English top flight is strong and it may have been seen as the natural progression on a dream comeback to Liverpool at a time when his managerial stock was at its peak.
“Steven and his coaching team have ensured that the club is clearly in a better place today than it was several seasons ago,” said then Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.
“We have shared a goal to move Rangers forward, to update our infrastructure and to return the team to winning ways.”
What Was Gerrard's Record at Aston Villa and in Saudi Arabia?
Gerrard did not last a year at Aston Villa.
Inconsistent performances resulted in a mid-table position at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a 3-0 loss at Craven Cottage placed them in 17th in autumn 2022 when he was sacked.
Across 2022, he secured only eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.
He transferred to the Middle East in summer 2023 when he took over at the Saudi club.
His most recent job lasted 18 months and he departed with the team sitting in 12th in the Saudi league, only five points above the relegation zone.
“In summary, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial experience for me and for my loved ones,” he remarked in the end of January. “But soccer is uncertain, and at times things don't go the way we hope.”
Those post-Ibrox experiences may give some hesitation and the individual might harbor concerns over inheriting a struggling squad, but Gerrard likely has the character to handle such a prominent post.
He is the only Rangers manager to have lifted the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That achievement could be difficult to overlook for an pressured Rangers leadership.