Which Lessons Should We Learn from Gerrard's Tenure as Glasgow Rangers Head Coach?
Steven Gerrard has been in the spotlight of discussion after Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on the weekend, and the ex-coach will discuss a potential return with the team's leadership.
Those in charge at Rangers have stated that a "comprehensive, thoughtful hiring procedure" is currently in progress.
Other candidates are set to be considered, however if the former Anfield and Three Lions skipper is open to a second stint at the club, could the position essentially his?
The mid-forties manager has recently mentioned about “unfinished business” in management and revealed he has started approaching potential members for his backroom team.
In a recent audio discussion with the former defender, which seemed to be recorded prior to Martin's brief reign ended, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a club that's set to challenge to win because I think that fits me more”.
He added: “If the right call arrives, the appropriate team, the correct opportunity, and I've got my people set, which I plan to have at some point, I'll take that challenge on because it's part of my nature.”
Gerrard's Record at Rangers in Initial Period
Having acquired experience as a academy manager at Liverpool, Gerrard took on his maiden coaching role in the summer of 2018.
Over three full seasons at Ibrox, he won only a single trophy – but it was a big one.
Following placements of nine and 13 points after their rivals in his first two campaigns, Gerrard guided Rangers to their first premiership title in a ten years, which just happened to deny their Old Firm rivals an unprecedented 10-in-a-row title.
And he did it impressively, with his team unbeaten throughout.
Rangers triumphed in all of their home games, scored 92 goals and allowed a mere 13.
The downside was that it came amid of Covid and fanless grounds.
It continues to be Rangers' only league triumph since the 2010-11 season.
What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Perform?
In sharp difference to Martin's unhappy 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 derby results were shared, each side securing two domestic victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.
A pair of defeats to Celtic came in the next truncated season, followed by Rangers securing a victory in the east end of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.
From then on, Gerrard remained unbeaten in derbies, claiming five more and drawing once.
Rangers progressed through four stages of preliminaries to reach the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's debut season.
In 2019-20, they advanced to the knockout rounds of the identical competition, losing out to Bayer Leverkusen 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 November 2021, paying ÂŁ4.5m in compensation.
He departed Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the summit of the standings – however their local opponents would recover to prevail by the identical gap.
The attraction of the Premier League is strong and it may have been seen as the natural progression on a dream return to Anfield at a time when his coaching reputation was high.
“Steven and his backroom staff have ensured that the club is undoubtedly in a better place today than it was several seasons ago,” commented at the time Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.
“We have had a desire to advance the club, to modernise our infrastructure 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.
Inconsistent performances yielded a 14th-place position at the conclusion of the 2021-22 campaign before a three-goal defeat at Craven Cottage placed them in 17th in autumn 2022 when he was sacked.
Across 2022, he secured just eight of his 31 games, losing 15.
He moved to the Middle East in summer 2023 when he assumed control at Al-Ettifaq.
His latest role continued for a year and a half and he departed with the club sitting 12th in the Saudi league, only five points above the drop zone.
“In summary, I have learned a lot, and it's been a beneficial experience personally and for my loved ones,” he remarked in late January. “But football is uncertain, and sometimes things don't go the way we hope.”
These after Rangers exploits could cause certain pause for thought and the individual might harbor concerns over taking over a underperforming team, but Gerrard probably has the character to manage such a prominent post.
He is the only Rangers boss to have won the championship since the legendary Walter Smith. That achievement might well be difficult to overlook for an pressured Rangers leadership.