🔗 Share this article

The former Liverpool captain is at the center of conversation since Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on the weekend, and the former manager is set to discuss a possible comeback with the club's owners.

Those in charge at Rangers announced that a "thorough, thoughtful recruitment process" is currently underway.

Other candidates will be reviewed, but if ex Anfield and Three Lions skipper is willing to a return spell at the club, is the job essentially his?

The mid-forties manager lately spoken about “remaining goals” in management and disclosed he has begun approaching prospective staff for his backroom team.

In a latest podcast discussion with Rio Ferdinand, which seemed to be recorded prior to Martin's short reign ended, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a club that's set to compete to win because I believe that suits me better”.

He added: “If the suitable offer comes my way, the right club, the right challenge, and I've got my people set, which I plan to 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 experience as a academy coach at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching role in the summer of 2018.

During three complete seasons at Ibrox, he secured just one title – but it proved significant.

After finishing nine and 13 points after their rivals in his first two seasons, Gerrard guided Rangers to their first premiership championship in a decade, which just happened to prevent their Old Firm rivals an historic 10-in-a-row win.

And he achieved it impressively, with his team unbeaten throughout.

Rangers won all of their domestic games, scored 92 goals and allowed a only 13.

The drawback was that it came amid of the pandemic and empty stadiums.

It remains Rangers' sole title success since the 2010-11 season.

What Was Gerrard's Old Firm Record Perform?

In sharp difference to Martin's disappointing experience, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, going 12 games without defeat until his first visit to Celtic Park.

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

Two losses to Celtic occurred in the following truncated season, followed by Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.

After that, Gerrard stayed undefeated in Old Firm clashes, winning five more and tying once.

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

In 2019-20, they progressed to the knockout rounds of the identical tournament, being eliminated to Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, with their journey concluding at the same stage the next year.

Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?

Aston Villa made an approach in late 2021, paying £4.5m in compensation.

He left Rangers with a lead clear of Celtic at the top of the table – but their local opponents would recover to win by the identical gap.

The lure of the Premier League is strong and it may have been seen as the next logical step on a dream comeback to Anfield at a point when his coaching reputation was high.

“Steven and his coaching team have made sure that the team is undoubtedly in a stronger position today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” commented then Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.

“We have shared a desire to move Rangers forward, to modernise our facilities 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 performances yielded a mid-table finish at the end of the 2021-22 campaign before a 3-0 defeat at Fulham placed them in 17th in autumn 2022 when he was dismissed.

Across 2022, he secured only eight of his 31 games, losing 15.

He transferred to Saudi Arabia in July 2023 when he assumed control at Al-Ettifaq.

His latest job lasted a year and a half and he departed with the team sitting 12th in the Saudi Pro League, just five points clear of the relegation zone.

“Overall, I have learned a lot, and it's been a beneficial experience personally and for my family,” he remarked in the end of January. “But football is uncertain, and at times things don't go the way we want.”

These post-Ibrox experiences could cause some pause for thought and the individual might harbor doubts over inheriting a struggling team, but Gerrard likely has the personality to handle such a prominent position.

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