What Insights Can We Learn from Steven Gerrard's Time as Glasgow Rangers Head Coach?

Steven Gerrard is at the center of discussion after Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on Sunday, while the former manager is set to talk about a potential return with the team's owners.

Those in charge at Rangers have stated that a "thorough, thoughtful recruitment process" is currently in progress.

Other candidates will be reviewed, but if ex Anfield and Three Lions skipper is open to a second stint at Ibrox, is the job essentially his?

The mid-forties manager lately spoken about “unfinished business” in coaching and revealed he has started approaching prospective members for his backroom team.

In a latest podcast discussion with Rio Ferdinand, which seemed to be filmed before Martin's short reign concluded, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a club that's set to compete to win because I think that fits me more”.

He added: “If the suitable offer arrives, the appropriate team, the right challenge, 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.”

Performance at Rangers in His First Stint

After gaining experience as a youth development coach at Liverpool, Gerrard took on his first managerial position in the summer of 2018.

Over three complete seasons at Ibrox, he secured just one title – but it was a big one.

After finishing 13 and nine points after Celtic in his initial pair of campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their first top-flight championship in a ten years, which coincidentally deny their Glasgow rivals an historic 10-in-a-row win.

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

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

The downside was that it came against a backdrop of the pandemic and empty stadiums.

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

What Was Gerrard's Old Firm Record Look?

In sharp difference to Martin's disappointing experience, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, remaining 12 games without defeat until his initial trip to Parkhead.

In his first season the derby results were shared, each side earning two home victories, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.

A pair of defeats to Celtic came in the following truncated season, after which Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.

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

Rangers came through four rounds of qualifying to reach the group stage of the European competition in Gerrard's debut season.

In the 2019-20 campaign, they advanced to the knockout rounds of the identical competition, being eliminated to the German side in the last 16, with their journey ending at the same stage the following season.

Why Did Gerrard Depart Rangers?

Aston Villa made an approach in November 2021, forking out £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 same margin.

The lure of the English top flight is powerful and it may have been viewed as the next logical step on a fairytale return 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,” said then Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.

“We have shared a desire to advance the club, to modernise our infrastructure and to make the club win again.”

How Did Gerrard's Record at Aston Villa and in Saudi Arabia?

Gerrard failed to complete a full season at Aston Villa.

Inconsistent results resulted in a mid-table finish at the conclusion of the 2021-22 campaign before a three-goal defeat at Craven Cottage placed them in 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.

During 2022, he won just eight of his 31 games, losing 15.

He transferred to Saudi Arabia in summer 2023 when he assumed control at the Saudi club.

His latest job continued for a year and a half and he departed with the team placed 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 late January. “But soccer is unpredictable, and at times things don't go the way we want.”

Those post-Ibrox exploits could cause some pause for thought and the individual might harbor doubts over inheriting a struggling squad, but Gerrard likely has the personality to manage such a high-profile position.

He is the sole Rangers boss to have lifted the championship since the legendary Walter Smith. That experience might well be difficult to overlook for an under-pressure Ibrox board.