What Insights Can We Take Away from Gerrard's Tenure as Glasgow Rangers Head Coach?
Steven Gerrard has been in the spotlight of discussion since Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on the weekend, while the former manager will discuss a potential comeback with the team's owners.
Those in charge at Ibrox have stated that a "thorough, considered recruitment procedure" is currently in progress.
Other candidates will be considered, but if ex Anfield and Three Lions captain is open to a second stint at Ibrox, is the job essentially his?
The mid-forties coach has recently mentioned about “remaining goals” in management and disclosed he has begun contacting prospective staff for his coaching team.
In a latest podcast discussion with the former defender, appearing to be recorded prior to Martin's brief reign concluded, Gerrard stated he wanted “to be at a club that's set to compete to win because I think that suits me better”.
He added: “If the suitable offer comes my way, the right club, 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 Initial Period
Having acquired experience as a youth development coach at Liverpool, Gerrard took on his maiden coaching role in the mid-year of 2018.
Over three full seasons at Rangers, he secured only a single title – however it proved significant.
Following placements of 13 and nine points after their rivals in his first two campaigns, Gerrard guided Rangers to their first premiership title in a ten years, which coincidentally prevent their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented 10-in-a-row title.
And he achieved it impressively, with his team undefeated in the process.
Rangers triumphed in all of their home games, netted 92 goals and allowed a mere 13.
The drawback was that it came amid of the pandemic and empty stadiums.
It continues to be Rangers' sole title success since the 2010-11 season.
What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Perform?
In sharp difference 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 Old Firm honours were shared, each side earning two domestic victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.
A pair of defeats to Celtic occurred in the next truncated season, after which Rangers winning in the east end of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.
After that, Gerrard remained unbeaten in Old Firm clashes, winning five additional and tying once.
Rangers progressed through four rounds of preliminaries to enter 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 competition, losing out to the German side in the round of 16, with their run concluding at the same stage the next year.
What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?
Aston Villa came calling in November 2021, forking out £4.5m in compensation.
He left Rangers four points clear of Celtic at the summit of the standings – however their local opponents would claw that back to win by the same margin.
The attraction of the English top flight is strong and it may have been seen as the natural progression 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 clearly in a stronger position today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” commented then Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.
“We have shared a desire to move Rangers forward, to update our facilities and to make the club win again.”
What Was Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?
Gerrard failed to complete a full season at Villa Park.
Inconsistent results resulted in a mid-table finish at the end of season 2021-22 before a 3-0 loss at Fulham left them in 17th in October 2022 when he was dismissed.
During 2022, he won just eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.
He moved to the Middle East in summer 2023 when he took over at the Saudi club.
His latest role continued for a year and a half and he moved on with the team sitting in 12th in the Saudi league, only five points clear of the relegation zone.
“Overall, I have learned a lot, and it's been a positive journey personally and for my family,” he said in late January. “But soccer is unpredictable, and sometimes events don't unfold the way we hope.”
These after Rangers experiences could cause certain pause for thought and the individual might harbor concerns over inheriting a struggling squad, but Gerrard likely has the character to manage such a high-profile position.
He is the only Rangers boss to have lifted the championship since the great Walter Smith. That experience could be hard to ignore for an under-pressure Rangers leadership.