What Lessons Can We Learn from Steven Gerrard's Time as Rangers Manager?

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

The former Liverpool captain has been in the spotlight of discussion after Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on Sunday, and the ex-coach will talk about a possible comeback with the team's leadership.

Those in charge at Ibrox have stated that a "thorough, considered hiring procedure" is currently in progress.

Additional names are set to be considered, however if ex Anfield and Three Lions skipper is open to a return spell at the club, is the job essentially his?

The 45-year-old coach has recently mentioned about “remaining goals” in management and revealed he has started approaching prospective members for his coaching team.

In a recent audio discussion with Rio Ferdinand, which seemed to be recorded prior to Martin's brief tenure concluded, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a team that's going to challenge to win because I think that fits me better”.

He added: “If the suitable offer comes my way, the appropriate team, the right challenge, and I've assembled my staff, which I will have at a future date, I'll accept that role because it's part of my nature.”

Performance at Rangers in Initial Period

After gaining experience as a youth development manager at Anfield, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching role in the mid-year of 2018.

Over three complete seasons at Ibrox, he won only a single title – but it proved significant.

After finishing nine and 13 points behind Celtic in his first two campaigns, Gerrard guided Rangers to their maiden top-flight championship in a ten years, which just happened to deny their Old Firm rivals an historic 10-in-a-row win.

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

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

The drawback was that it came 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 Derby Record Look?

In sharp difference to Martin's disappointing experience, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his initial trip to Parkhead.

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

A pair of defeats to Celtic came in the following shortened season, followed by Rangers securing a victory in the east end of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.

From then on, Gerrard remained undefeated in derbies, claiming five more and drawing once.

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

In 2019-20, they progressed to the elimination stage of the identical competition, losing out to the German side in the last 16, with their journey ending at the same stage the following season.

Why Did Gerrard Depart Rangers?

The Birmingham club made an approach in late 2021, forking out £4.5m in fees.

He departed Rangers with a lead clear 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 English top flight is strong and it may have been viewed as the natural progression on a fairytale return to Anfield at a point when his managerial stock 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,” commented then Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.

“We have shared a desire to move Rangers forward, to update our infrastructure 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.

Up and down results yielded a 14th-place finish at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a three-goal loss at Fulham placed them 17th in autumn 2022 when he was dismissed.

During 2022, he secured only eight of his 31 games, losing 15.

He moved to the Middle East in July 2023 when he took over at the Saudi club.

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

“In summary, I have learned a lot, and it's been a positive journey for me and for my loved ones,” he remarked in late January. “But soccer is unpredictable, and sometimes things don't go the way we want.”

Those after Rangers experiences could cause some hesitation and the man himself may have concerns over inheriting a underperforming squad, but Gerrard likely has the personality to handle such a prominent post.

He is the only Rangers manager to have lifted the league trophy since the legendary Walter Smith. That experience could be difficult to overlook for an pressured Ibrox board.

Katherine Allison
Katherine Allison

A productivity consultant and writer with over a decade of experience in workplace optimization and time management strategies.