What Lessons Should We Learn from Steven Gerrard's Time as Rangers Head Coach?

The former Liverpool captain has been at the center of conversation after Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on the weekend, while the former manager is set to talk about a possible comeback with the team's leadership.

The decision-makers at Ibrox have stated that a "comprehensive, considered hiring procedure" is now in progress.

Additional names are set to be considered, however if ex Anfield and Three Lions skipper is willing to a second stint at Ibrox, is the job essentially his?

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

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

He added: “If the suitable offer arrives, the appropriate team, the correct opportunity, and I've got my people set, which I plan to have at a future date, I'll take that challenge on because it's part of my nature.”

Performance at Rangers in Initial Period

After gaining knowledge as a academy coach at Anfield, Gerrard accepted his first managerial position in the summer of 2018.

During three complete seasons at Rangers, he secured only a single title – however it proved significant.

After finishing 13 and nine points after Celtic in his initial pair of seasons, Gerrard guided Rangers to their maiden premiership title in a decade, which just happened to prevent their Glasgow rivals an historic tenth consecutive win.

And he did it in style, with his team undefeated in the process.

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

The drawback was that it occurred amid of Covid and fanless grounds.

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

What Was Gerrard's Old Firm Record Perform?

In sharp difference to Martin's disappointing spell, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, going 12 games without defeat until his first visit to Celtic Park.

In his first campaign the Old Firm results were even, each side securing two home victories, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.

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

From then on, Gerrard remained undefeated in derbies, winning five additional and drawing once.

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

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

Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?

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

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

The attraction of the English top flight is powerful and it could have been viewed as the next logical step on a dream return to Anfield at a point when his coaching reputation was at its peak.

“Steven and his backroom staff have ensured that the team is undoubtedly in a better place today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” said at the time Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.

“We have had 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.

Inconsistent performances yielded a 14th-place position at the end of season 2021-22 before a three-goal defeat at Craven Cottage placed them 17th in autumn 2022 when he was sacked.

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

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

His most recent job lasted a year and a half and he departed with the club placed in 12th in the Saudi league, just five points above the drop zone.

“Overall, I have learned a lot, and it's been a beneficial experience personally and for my family,” he remarked in the end of January. “But football is unpredictable, and sometimes things don't go the way we want.”

Those after Rangers exploits could cause some hesitation and the individual might harbor doubts over inheriting a struggling team, but Gerrard likely has the character to handle such a high-profile post.

He is the only Rangers boss to have won the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That experience could be hard to ignore for an pressured Ibrox board.