What Insights Can We Take Away from Gerrard's Tenure as Glasgow Rangers Manager?

Steven Gerrard is at the center of discussion since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, while the former manager will discuss a potential return with the team's owners.

The decision-makers at Ibrox have stated that a "comprehensive, thoughtful recruitment procedure" is currently in progress.

Additional names are set to be reviewed, but if the former Liverpool and England skipper is willing to a second stint at Ibrox, could the position essentially his?

The 45-year-old manager lately spoken about “remaining goals” in management and revealed he has begun approaching prospective members for his backroom team.

In a recent audio interview with Rio Ferdinand, which seemed to be recorded prior to Martin's brief tenure concluded, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a club that's set to challenge to win because I think that fits me better”.

He added: “If the right call arrives, the appropriate team, the correct opportunity, and I've got my people set, which I will have at a future date, I'll accept that role because it's part of my nature.”

Performance at Rangers in His First Stint

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 only a single title – but it was a big one.

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

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

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

The drawback was that it came against a backdrop of the pandemic and fanless grounds.

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

How Did Gerrard's Derby Record Look?

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

In his first season the Old Firm honours were shared, each side securing two home wins, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.

Two losses to Celtic came in the next truncated season, after which Rangers securing a victory in the east end of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.

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

Rangers came through four stages of qualifying to enter the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's debut season.

In 2019-20, they progressed to the elimination stage of the identical competition, losing out to the German side in the last 16, with their journey ending at the same stage the next year.

Why Did Gerrard Depart Rangers?

The Birmingham club made an approach in November 2021, forking out £4.5m in compensation.

He left Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the top of the table – however their local opponents would claw that back to prevail by the same margin.

The lure of the English top flight is powerful and it could have been viewed as the natural progression on a fairytale return to Anfield at a point when his managerial stock was at its peak.

“Steven and his backroom staff have ensured that the club is undoubtedly in a stronger position today than it was several seasons ago,” commented at the time Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.

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

How Did Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?

Gerrard did not last a full season at Aston Villa.

Up and down performances resulted in a 14th-place position at the conclusion of the 2021-22 campaign before a 3-0 defeat at Craven Cottage left them 17th in autumn 2022 when he was sacked.

Across 2022, he won just eight of his 31 games, losing 15.

He moved to the Middle East in summer 2023 when he assumed control at the Saudi club.

His latest role continued for 18 months and he departed with the club placed in 12th in the Saudi Pro League, only five points clear of the drop zone.

“In summary, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a positive experience personally and for my loved ones,” he said in late January. “But football is unpredictable, and sometimes events don't unfold the way we want.”

These post-Ibrox exploits may give certain pause for thought and the individual might harbor doubts over taking over a struggling team, but Gerrard likely has the personality to manage such a high-profile post.

He is the sole Rangers boss to have won the championship since the great Walter Smith. That achievement could be difficult to overlook for an pressured Ibrox board.