Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard could be poised for an unexpected comeback as Rangers manager. The former captain, whose name was sung to taunt Trent Alexander-Arnold on Sunday, won the Scottish Premiership title during his initial stint, but has been jobless since January.
Gerrard swapped Rangers for Aston Villa in November 2021, but his tenure at the Premier League outfit lasted a mere 11 months. He then took the reins at Saudi Pro League team Al-Ettifaq in the summer of 2023, guiding them to a sixth-place finish in his debut season, before parting ways midway through the current campaign by mutual consent.
Rangers filled the void left by Gerrard with Gio van Bronckhorst, who was subsequently replaced by Mick Beale and then Philippe Clement. Belgian manager Clement was shown the door in February, with Barry Ferguson stepping in as interim boss until the season’s end, but a fresh appointment is anticipated this summer.
As per The Telegraph, Gerrard is among several potential candidates. The list of contenders reportedly runs into double figures at this point, featuring ex-Premier League managers.
Gary O’Neil, Rob Edwards and Russell Martin are said to be in contention, alongside unnamed overseas applicants. Former Southampton manager Martin, who had a spell at Rangers during his playing career, has been without a job since departing St Mary’s in December.
Martin opened up about his readiness to step back into the managerial role during an interview on Match of the Day 2, stating: “It’s been a good time to reflect, and a good break after 20 years or so of playing and then straight into management, so it’s been a nice time to enjoy. I think wherever I go next and whenever I go in next I’ll be much better for it.
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“I think it’s really important [to make the right choice]. We’ve turned a few opportunities down because it didn’t feel quite right, and it’s about the opportunity it gives us, how we feel about it, the people you’re working for… and also the cultural context, how the style of play will fit, how the work that we do will fit with the club.”
Meanwhile, Rangers has secured second place in the league this season and are slated to begin their Champions League journey in the second qualifying round next season.
Rangers wowed fans with a commanding 4-0 win against Aberdeen recently, with interim manager Ferguson lauding his squad’s performance.
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Sharing his frustrations and subsequent team talk, Ferguson revealed, “I was a little bit frustrated and angry in the first half,” acknowledging that changes and motivational words were necessary.
“I had to make a change and we had a fair chat where I demanded more from them. I thought in the second half, in terms of the way we played, that was more like the team that I want to see.
“We had runners from midfield, attacked their penalty box, and looked a real threat. I need to give the boys credit because they took on board information that I gave them at half-time, and I thought in the second half we were miles in front of Aberdeen.”
