What Insights Should We Take Away from Steven Gerrard's Time as Rangers Head Coach?
Steven Gerrard is at the center of conversation after Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on Sunday, while the former manager is set to talk about a possible comeback with the team's owners.
The decision-makers at Rangers announced that a "comprehensive, thoughtful hiring procedure" is currently in progress.
Other candidates are set to be reviewed, however if the former Anfield and Three Lions skipper is willing to a second stint at the club, is the job as good as his?
The 45-year-old coach lately spoken about “remaining goals” in coaching and revealed he has begun approaching potential members for his backroom team.
In a recent audio interview with the former defender, appearing to be filmed before Martin's brief tenure ended, Gerrard stated he wanted “to be at a club that's set to compete to win because I believe that suits me better”.
He continued: “If the suitable offer comes my way, the right club, 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.”
Performance at Rangers in Initial Period
Having acquired knowledge as a academy coach at Liverpool, Gerrard took on his first managerial role in the mid-year of 2018.
During three full seasons at Ibrox, he won only a single trophy – however it was a big one.
After finishing nine and 13 points behind their rivals in his first two seasons, Gerrard led Rangers to their first top-flight title in a decade, which coincidentally prevent their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive win.
And he achieved it in style, with his team undefeated throughout.
Rangers won all of their home games, scored 92 goals and allowed a mere 13.
The downside was that it occurred amid of the pandemic and fanless grounds.
It continues to be Rangers' sole league triumph since the 2010-11 season.
What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Perform?
In sharp difference to Martin's disappointing spell, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his initial trip to Celtic Park.
In his debut season the derby results were shared, each side earning two domestic victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.
Two losses to Celtic occurred 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 stayed undefeated in Old Firm clashes, winning five more and drawing once.
Rangers came 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 elimination stage of the identical competition, losing out to the German side in the last 16, with their journey concluding at the identical round the following season.
Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?
Aston Villa came calling in November 2021, forking out £4.5m in fees.
He departed Rangers with a lead clear of Celtic at the summit of the table – but their local opponents would recover to prevail by the identical gap.
The lure of the Premier League is strong and it may have been viewed as the natural progression on a fairytale comeback to Anfield at a point when his managerial stock was high.
“Steven and his coaching team have ensured that the team is clearly in a stronger position today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” said at the time Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.
“We have shared a goal to advance the club, to modernise our facilities and to make the club win again.”
What Was Gerrard's Record at Aston Villa and in Saudi Arabia?
Gerrard failed to complete a year at Villa Park.
Up and down performances yielded a 14th-place finish at the conclusion of the 2021-22 campaign before a three-goal loss at Craven Cottage placed them in 17th in October 2022 when he was sacked.
Across 2022, he secured only eight of his 31 games, losing 15.
He transferred to the Middle East in July 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, just five points clear of the relegation zone.
“Overall, I have learned a lot, and it's been a beneficial journey for me and for my family,” he remarked in the end of January. “But football is unpredictable, and sometimes events don't unfold the way we hope.”
Those after Rangers exploits may give certain hesitation and the individual may have concerns over taking over a underperforming squad, but Gerrard probably has the character to manage such a high-profile post.
He is the sole Rangers manager to have lifted the league trophy since the legendary Walter Smith. That achievement could be difficult to overlook for an pressured Rangers leadership.