🔗 Share this article

The former Liverpool captain is at the center of conversation since Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on the weekend, while the ex-coach will talk about a possible comeback with the club's leadership.

The decision-makers at Ibrox have stated that a "thorough, thoughtful recruitment procedure" is now underway.

Other candidates will be considered, however if the former Anfield and Three Lions captain is willing to a return spell at Ibrox, is the job essentially his?

The 45-year-old coach lately spoken about “unfinished business” in coaching and disclosed he has started approaching potential members for his backroom team.

In a latest audio interview with the former defender, which seemed to be filmed prior to Martin's short tenure ended, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a team that's set to compete to win because I think that suits me better”.

He continued: “If the right call comes my way, the appropriate team, the correct opportunity, and I've assembled my staff, which I plan to have at a future date, I'll take that challenge on because it's in me.”

Performance at Rangers in Initial Period

After gaining experience as a youth development manager at Liverpool, Gerrard took on his first managerial position in the summer of 2018.

Over three complete campaigns at Rangers, he won just one title – but it proved significant.

Following placements of nine and 13 points behind Celtic in his initial pair of campaigns, Gerrard guided Rangers to their first top-flight title in a ten years, which coincidentally prevent their Old Firm rivals an historic tenth consecutive title.

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

Rangers triumphed in all of their home games, scored 92 goals and conceded a only 13.

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

It continues to be Rangers' sole title success since 2010-11.

What Was Gerrard's Old Firm Record Look?

In stark contrast to Martin's unhappy spell, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, going 12 games without defeat until his first visit to Parkhead.

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

Two losses to Celtic occurred in the following shortened season, after which Rangers winning in the eastern part of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.

From then on, Gerrard stayed undefeated in derbies, claiming five additional and tying once.

Rangers came through four rounds of qualifying to enter the main phase of the Europa League in Gerrard's debut season.

In 2019-20, they progressed to the knockout rounds of the same competition, being eliminated to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, with their run ending at the identical round the following season.

What Led Gerrard Depart Rangers?

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

He departed Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the summit of the table – however their local opponents would claw that back to win by the identical gap.

The attraction of the Premier League is powerful and it may have been viewed as the natural progression on a fairytale return to Anfield at a time when his managerial stock was at its peak.

“Steven and his coaching team have ensured that the team is undoubtedly in a better place today than it was several seasons ago,” said at the time Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.

“We have shared a goal to move Rangers forward, to modernise our infrastructure and to return the team to winning ways.”

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

Gerrard failed to complete a full season at Villa Park.

Up and down results yielded a 14th-place position at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a 3-0 defeat 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 July 2023 when he took over at Al-Ettifaq.

His most recent role lasted a year and a half and he departed with the team sitting in 12th in the Saudi league, only five points clear of the drop zone.

“In summary, I have learned a lot, and it's been a beneficial experience for me and for my family,” he remarked in the end of January. “But football is uncertain, and sometimes events don't unfold the way we want.”

Those post-Ibrox experiences could cause some pause for thought and the individual might harbor concerns over inheriting a underperforming team, but Gerrard likely has the personality to manage such a high-profile position.

He is the sole Rangers manager to have won the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That experience could be difficult to overlook for an pressured Rangers leadership.