Which Insights Can We Learn from Gerrard's Tenure as Glasgow Rangers Head Coach?

Steven Gerrard with the Scottish Premiership trophy in May 2021
Steven Gerrard holding the Scottish Premiership trophy in spring 2021

The former Liverpool captain has been at the center of conversation since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, while the former manager will discuss a possible return with the team's owners.

Those in charge at Rangers have stated that a "comprehensive, thoughtful hiring procedure" is currently underway.

Other candidates are set to be considered, but if the former Anfield and Three Lions captain is willing to a second stint at the club, could the position as good as his?

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

In a latest podcast discussion with the former defender, appearing to be filmed prior to Martin's short tenure concluded, Gerrard expressed he wanted “to be at a team that's going to challenge to win because I think that fits me better”.

He added: “If the right call comes my way, the right club, the right challenge, and I've assembled my staff, 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

Having acquired knowledge as a academy manager at Liverpool, Gerrard took on his first managerial position in the mid-year of 2018.

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

After finishing 13 and nine points behind Celtic in his initial pair of campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their first top-flight championship in a ten years, which coincidentally deny their Old Firm rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive title.

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

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

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

It remains Rangers' only league triumph since the 2010-11 season.

How Did Gerrard's Derby Record Look?

In sharp difference to Martin's unhappy experience, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, remaining 12 games without defeat until his initial trip to Celtic Park.

In his debut campaign the Old Firm honours were shared, each side securing two domestic victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.

Two losses to Celtic occurred in the next truncated season, after which Rangers securing a victory in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.

After that, Gerrard stayed unbeaten in derbies, winning five additional and tying once.

Rangers progressed through four rounds of qualifying to enter the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's first season.

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

What Led Gerrard Depart Rangers?

The Birmingham club came calling in late 2021, paying £4.5m in compensation.

He left Rangers four points clear of Celtic at the top of the table – however their city rivals would recover to win by the identical gap.

The lure of the English top flight is strong and it may have been seen as the natural progression on a fairytale comeback to Anfield at a time when his coaching reputation was high.

“Steven and his coaching team have ensured that the team is undoubtedly in a better place today than it was several seasons ago,” commented then Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.

“We have had a goal 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 did not last a full season at Villa Park.

Inconsistent performances yielded a mid-table finish at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a three-goal defeat at Craven Cottage placed them 17th in October 2022 when he was dismissed.

Across 2022, he won just eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.

He transferred to Saudi Arabia in July 2023 when he took over at the Saudi club.

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

“In summary, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial journey for me and for my loved ones,” he said in the end of January. “But football is unpredictable, and at times events don't unfold the way we hope.”

These post-Ibrox experiences could cause some hesitation and the individual may have doubts over inheriting a underperforming squad, but Gerrard likely has the character to handle such a prominent post.

He is the only Rangers manager to have won the championship since the legendary Walter Smith. That experience could be difficult to overlook for an pressured Ibrox board.

Cassandra Boyle
Cassandra Boyle

A passionate horticulturist with over a decade of experience in organic gardening and landscape design.