Steven Gerrard could be set for a return to management at Rangers. The club has been searching for a replacement for Russell Martin, who has had a thoroughly disappointing campaign. Gerrard, a former player and manager at the club, led Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title in 2021, breaking Celtic’s bid for a historic 10 consecutive titles. He stated he had a sense of “unfinished business” in management, leading to speculation over a possible return to Ibrox.
Gerrard certainly made his mark on the Scottish Premiership during his tenure with Rangers. He went on to explain that the club was the “ideal fit” for him when he arrived in May 2018. His prosperous reign was crowned by a glorious league victory, and a legion of Rangers supporters consider him a hero. Gerrard departed for Aston Villa in November 2021. He remains inextricably linked to discussions regarding the club’s future managerial prospects.
Unfinished Business in Management
Since departing his role at Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia in January, Gerrard has been out of management. In true Peterson fashion, he’s been candid all offseason about his desire to get back on the field. He expressed an interest in having the proper opportunity and support structure to grow as a coach and take his coaching talents to the next level.
“But there’s a part of me that still feels that there’s a bit of unfinished business in terms of wanting to go in and face another couple of exciting challenges.” – Steven Gerrard
Gerrard lives with his family in Bahrain now, having more time to spend with them than ever before. He’s honest about not being in a hurry to pursue a new job, saying,
“I’ve also got time now where I’m not in a rush, where I know the right people that are out there to make me a stronger and a better coach. They are the people I need to find.” – Steven Gerrard
This reflective period has allowed him to explore personal interests, such as attending Grand Prix races and participating in exhibition games with former teammates.
A Strong Candidate for Rangers
As Rangers put together a shortlist of candidates to replace Russell Martin, Gerrard’s name has floated to the top of the list. His experience and previous success with the club certainly make him a credible option. The club had contacted him over the summer, but tense negotiations ensued. Rangers’ loss, however, he still maintains a deep association with the famed Rangers.
“I think certain jobs and certain clubs would suit my style and the way I like to go about it.” – Steven Gerrard
For Gerrard, his link to Rangers is more than just numbers and statistics. He represents everything the club stands for and hopes to achieve. His leadership on and off the court during their successful title run explained why he was able to motivate players and create a culture of competitiveness.
Future Aspirations
Gerrard has been pretty open about the fact that he is looking for a different level of challenge going forward. He’d like to be at a club where they are truly competing for titles. He thinks this transfer is the perfect fit for his long-range goals as a manager.
“If they don’t, I won’t go back in. I want to be at a team that’s going to compete to win because I think that suits me better.” – Steven Gerrard
As much as he loves the deeply rewarding adventure of family life and personal pursuits, the siren call of management is powerful. Gerrard’s story as a Liverpool and England immortal makes his possible return to the Scottish Premiership even juicier.
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