TBR Football can exclusively confirm what Glasgow Rangers sources are saying about Steven Gerrard amid speculation regarding a return to Ibrox.
Glasgow Rangers have been without a permanent manager since February, when the Scottish Premiership club parted company with Philippe Clement.
Barry Ferguson took charge of Rangers in the interim, but he has since moved on along with his coaching team.
In addition, TBR Football can confirm which other managers Rangers are considering as alternatives to Gerrard.
Steven Gerrard closing in on Rangers return with further talks planned this week
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Steven Gerrard is closing in on a return to Rangers.
The Scottish giants’ new American owners have been playing a role in the search for the new boss along with soon to be sporting director Kevin Thelwell.
Thelwell, who is arriving from Everton, has been kept informed of the situation as the club look to move on from Ferguson – who took over from Clement in February.
A number of names have been considered including Russell Martin, Rob Edwards, Davide Ancelotti and Gennaro Gattuso.
Derek McInnes was also in the picture, but he is now out of the running after joining Hearts earlier this week.
TBR Football understands that Gerrard – who has been out of work since leaving Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ettifaq in January – has already had talks about his return to the club he managed for three years before joining Aston Villa in 2021.
Further talks are planned for this week, and Rangers want their next appointment – whoever he may be – in place before the end of this month.
How Steven Gerrard did at Rangers
Rangers appointed Gerrard in May 2018 in the wake of a chaotic season that saw the Ibrox side part company with both Pedro Caixinha and interim coach Graeme Murty.
Gerrard embarked on a major rebuild, with the likes of Glen Kamara, Jermain Defoe, Steven Davis, Joe Aribo, Filip Helander, Ryan Kent, Calvin Bassey, Leon Balogun and Kemar Roofe all joining under his watch.
In 2020/21, Rangers finally won their 55th Scottish Premiership title, their first since the 2010/11 season – along with depriving Celtic of a 10th title in a row.
Gerrard spent three-and-a-half years at Ibrox, leaving in November 2021 when he went south of the border to Aston Villa.
During his stint in Glasgow, he lost just 26 of his 193 games with the Gers.