What Insights Should We Take Away from Gerrard's Time as Glasgow Rangers Head Coach?

Steven Gerrard has been at the center of conversation after Rangers dismissed Russell Martin on Sunday, while the ex-coach will discuss a potential return with the club's leadership.

The decision-makers at Ibrox announced that a "comprehensive, considered recruitment procedure" is now in progress.

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

The mid-forties coach lately spoken about “remaining goals” in coaching and revealed he has begun contacting prospective staff for his coaching team.

In a latest audio discussion with the former defender, appearing to be filmed prior to Martin's brief reign concluded, Gerrard expressed he desired “to be at a club that's set to compete to win because I believe that fits me more”.

He continued: “If the right call comes my way, the right club, 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 in me.”

Performance at Rangers in His First Stint

After gaining knowledge as a academy manager at Liverpool, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching position in the summer of 2018.

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

After finishing 13 and nine points behind Celtic in his first two seasons, Gerrard led Rangers to their first premiership championship in a ten years, which just happened to deny their Glasgow rivals an unprecedented 10-in-a-row title.

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

Rangers won all of their domestic games, netted 92 goals and conceded a mere 13.

The downside was that it came amid of Covid and fanless grounds.

It continues to be Rangers' sole league triumph since 2010-11.

How Did Gerrard's Old Firm Record Look?

In sharp difference to Martin's unhappy spell, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, going 12 games without defeat until his initial trip to Parkhead.

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

A pair of defeats to Celtic came in the next truncated season, followed by Rangers securing a victory in the eastern part of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.

After that, Gerrard stayed undefeated in derbies, winning five more and tying once.

Rangers came through four stages of qualifying to enter the group stage of the European competition in Gerrard's first season.

In the 2019-20 campaign, they advanced to the knockout rounds of the same tournament, losing out to the German side in the round of 16, with their journey concluding at the same stage the following season.

What Led Gerrard Depart Rangers?

The Birmingham club came calling in November 2021, paying £4.5m in fees.

He departed Rangers four points clear of Celtic at the top of the table – however their local opponents would claw that back to win by the same margin.

The lure of the English top flight is strong and it may have been seen as the natural progression on a fairytale comeback to Anfield at a point when his coaching reputation was at its peak.

“Steven and his coaching team have ensured that the team is clearly in a better place today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” commented then Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.

“We have shared a goal 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 did not last a year at Villa Park.

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

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

He moved to Saudi Arabia in July 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 in 12th in the Saudi Pro League, only five points clear of the relegation zone.

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

These after Rangers experiences could cause some hesitation and the individual might harbor concerns over inheriting a underperforming squad, but Gerrard likely has the character to manage such a prominent position.

He is the sole Rangers boss to have lifted the league trophy since the great Walter Smith. That achievement might well be difficult to overlook for an pressured Ibrox board.