Which Lessons Should We Take Away from Gerrard's Tenure as Glasgow Rangers Manager?

Steven Gerrard has been at the center of conversation since Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on Sunday, while the ex-coach is set to talk about a potential return with the club's leadership.

Those in charge at Rangers have stated that a "comprehensive, considered hiring procedure" is now in progress.

Additional names will be considered, however if ex Anfield and Three Lions skipper is willing to a return spell at Ibrox, is the job as good as his?

The 45-year-old coach lately mentioned about “unfinished business” in management and revealed he has begun approaching prospective staff for his coaching team.

In a latest podcast discussion with the former defender, which seemed to be filmed before Martin's short tenure ended, Gerrard stated he wanted “to be at a team that's going to challenge to win because I believe that suits me more”.

He added: “If the suitable offer comes my way, the appropriate team, the right challenge, and I've got my people set, which I will have at a future date, I'll accept that role because it's in me.”

Gerrard's Record at Rangers in Initial Period

Having acquired knowledge as a academy manager at Anfield, Gerrard took on his maiden coaching position in the mid-year of 2018.

Over three full seasons at Ibrox, he won just one title – but it proved significant.

Following placements of nine and 13 points behind their rivals in his first two seasons, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden premiership title in a ten years, which coincidentally deny their Glasgow rivals an historic 10-in-a-row title.

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

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

The downside was that it came against a backdrop of Covid and fanless grounds.

It remains Rangers' only title success since 2010-11.

What Was Gerrard's Old Firm Record Perform?

In sharp difference to Martin's disappointing spell, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his initial trip to Celtic Park.

In his debut campaign the Old Firm honours were even, each side securing two home wins, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.

Two losses to Celtic occurred in the following truncated season, followed by Rangers securing a victory in the eastern part of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.

After that, Gerrard stayed undefeated in derbies, claiming five additional and drawing once.

Rangers progressed through four stages 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, losing out to the German side in the last 16, with their journey ending at the identical round the next year.

Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?

Aston Villa made an approach in late 2021, forking out £4.5m in fees.

He left Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the summit of the table – but their local opponents would recover to prevail by the same margin.

The lure of the Premier League is powerful and it could have been viewed as the next logical step on a dream comeback to Anfield at a time when his coaching reputation was high.

“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 at the time Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.

“We have shared a goal to move Rangers forward, to update our facilities and to make the club win again.”

What Was Gerrard's Record at Aston Villa and in Saudi Arabia?

Gerrard did not last a full season at Villa Park.

Up and down performances yielded a mid-table finish at the end of the 2021-22 campaign before a three-goal loss at Fulham left them in 17th in October 2022 when he was dismissed.

During 2022, he won 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 club placed in 12th in the Saudi league, only five points clear of the relegation zone.

“Overall, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial experience personally and for my loved ones,” he remarked in the end of January. “But soccer is unpredictable, and at times things don't go the way we want.”

These after Rangers experiences could cause some hesitation and the man himself may have concerns over taking over a underperforming team, but Gerrard likely has the character to manage such a prominent position.

He is the only Rangers boss to have won the championship since the legendary Walter Smith. That achievement might well be difficult to overlook for an pressured Ibrox board.