What Lessons Should We Take Away from Gerrard's Time as Rangers Manager?

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

The former Liverpool captain has been in the spotlight of conversation after Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on Sunday, and the former manager will discuss a possible comeback with the club's leadership.

The decision-makers at Ibrox have stated that a "comprehensive, considered recruitment process" is now underway.

Other candidates are set to be reviewed, however if the former Liverpool and England captain is open to a second stint at the club, could the position essentially his?

The mid-forties manager lately mentioned about “remaining goals” in management and revealed he has begun contacting prospective members for his coaching team.

In a latest podcast discussion with the former defender, which seemed to be recorded prior to Martin's brief tenure ended, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a club that's going to compete to win because I believe that suits me more”.

He added: “If the suitable offer arrives, the appropriate team, the right challenge, and I've got my people set, which I will have at a future date, I'll take that challenge on because it's in me.”

Gerrard's Record at Rangers in Initial Period

After gaining knowledge as a academy coach at Anfield, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching role in the summer of 2018.

Over three full campaigns at Rangers, he secured only a single trophy – but it proved significant.

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

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

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

The downside was that it occurred against a backdrop of Covid and fanless grounds.

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

What Was Gerrard's Old Firm Record Perform?

In stark contrast to Martin's disappointing spell, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his first visit to Celtic Park.

In his debut season the Old Firm results were even, each side securing two home wins, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.

Two losses to Celtic came in the next shortened season, followed by Rangers securing a victory in the eastern part of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.

From then on, Gerrard stayed unbeaten in derbies, claiming five more and drawing once.

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

In 2019-20, they progressed to the knockout rounds of the same tournament, losing out to the German side in the round of 16, with their journey ending at the identical round the next year.

What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?

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

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

The attraction of the Premier League is powerful and it could have been seen as the natural progression on a fairytale return to Liverpool at a point when his managerial stock was high.

“Steven and his backroom staff have made sure that the team is clearly in a stronger position today than it was several seasons ago,” said at the time Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.

“We have shared a goal to advance the club, to modernise our facilities and to return the team to winning ways.”

What Was Gerrard's Record at Aston Villa and in Saudi Arabia?

Gerrard did not last a full season at Villa Park.

Up and down performances resulted in a mid-table finish at the end of season 2021-22 before a 3-0 defeat at Fulham placed them in 17th in October 2022 when he was dismissed.

Across 2022, he secured only eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.

He transferred to the Middle East in summer 2023 when he took over at the Saudi club.

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

“Overall, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial journey personally and for my family,” he said in late January. “But soccer is uncertain, and sometimes things don't go the way we want.”

Those post-Ibrox exploits could cause certain hesitation and the individual might harbor doubts over inheriting a underperforming team, but Gerrard probably has the personality to handle such a prominent position.

He is the only Rangers boss to have lifted the championship since the great Walter Smith. That achievement might well be difficult to overlook for an pressured Rangers leadership.

Jacob Cox
Jacob Cox

A seasoned entrepreneur and startup advisor with over a decade of experience in venture capital and business development.