What Insights Can We Learn from Gerrard's Time as Glasgow Rangers Head Coach?

Steven Gerrard has been in the spotlight of conversation after Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on the weekend, while the ex-coach will talk about a potential return with the team's leadership.

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

Other candidates are set to be considered, but if the former Liverpool and England skipper is open to a return spell at the club, is the job as good as his?

The 45-year-old manager has recently spoken about “remaining goals” in management and revealed he has started contacting prospective staff for his backroom team.

In a latest audio interview with the former defender, appearing to be recorded prior to Martin's brief reign concluded, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a club that's set to challenge to win because I think that suits me better”.

He added: “If the right call arrives, the right club, the correct opportunity, and I've assembled my staff, which I plan to have at a future date, I'll accept that role because it's part of my nature.”

Gerrard's Record at Rangers in His First Stint

Having acquired experience as a academy coach at Anfield, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching position in the summer of 2018.

Over three full seasons at Rangers, he secured just one trophy – but it was a big one.

Following placements of 13 and nine points after Celtic in his first two seasons, Gerrard guided Rangers to their maiden premiership title in a decade, which just happened to prevent their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented tenth consecutive win.

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

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

The drawback was that it came against a backdrop of Covid and empty stadiums.

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

What Was Gerrard's Derby Record Look?

In stark contrast to Martin's disappointing spell, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his first visit to Parkhead.

In his first season the derby results were shared, each side earning two domestic victories, with Rangers having last beaten Celtic in 2012.

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

After that, Gerrard remained unbeaten in Old Firm clashes, winning five more and drawing once.

Rangers came through four rounds of preliminaries to reach the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's debut season.

In the 2019-20 campaign, they advanced to the elimination stage of the same tournament, being eliminated to the German side in the last 16, with their run ending at the identical round the next year.

What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?

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

He left Rangers four points clear of Celtic at the top of the table – but their local opponents would recover to win by the identical gap.

The attraction of the Premier League is strong and it may have been viewed as the natural progression on a dream comeback to Liverpool at a point when his managerial stock was at its peak.

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

“We have had a goal to move Rangers forward, to update our facilities and to return the team to winning ways.”

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

Gerrard failed to complete a year at Villa Park.

Inconsistent results resulted in a mid-table position at the end of the 2021-22 campaign before a 3-0 loss at Fulham placed them in 17th in autumn 2022 when he was sacked.

During 2022, he secured just eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.

He transferred to Saudi Arabia in July 2023 when he assumed control at the Saudi club.

His most recent job lasted a year and a half and he moved on with the team sitting 12th in the Saudi Pro League, just five points clear of the relegation zone.

“Overall, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial experience for me and for my loved ones,” he said in the end of January. “But soccer is uncertain, and sometimes events don't unfold the way we want.”

Those after Rangers exploits may give certain pause for thought and the individual may have concerns over inheriting a underperforming team, but Gerrard likely has the character to handle such a prominent position.

He is the only Rangers manager to have lifted the league trophy since the legendary Walter Smith. That experience could be hard to ignore for an under-pressure Rangers leadership.