Rangers are set to hold talks with Steven Gerrard this week over a sensational return to Ibrox as the club’s next manager.
The former Liverpool captain, who famously led the club to their long-awaited 55th league title in 2021, is among the leading candidates being considered following the sacking of Russell Martin on Sunday night.
It is understood that Rangers’ American owners are spearheading the process directly and see Gerrard as a candidate who can both re-energise the support and provide a sense of stability after another turbulent campaign. The board is said to be seeking a figure capable of restoring identity and standards - qualities Gerrard was credited with rejuvenating during his first tenure.
Gerrard, 45, has made no secret of his desire to return to management and has recently spoken of having “unfinished business” in football management. Sources close to him suggest he would be open to discussions about a return to Glasgow, provided he is convinced by the club’s long-term vision and recruitment plans for January and beyond.
The move would mark a dramatic twist in a managerial merry-go-round that has seen Rangers go through four permanent bosses since Gerrard’s departure in November 2021. His exit to Aston Villa, just months after reclaiming the Scottish Premiership from Celtic, remains a sore point among sections of the support, though many acknowledge the scale of his earlier rebuild.
If Gerrard were to return, it would be to a vastly different squad from the one he left behind. Only James Tavernier remains from his final starting XI - a 4–2 win over Ross County at Ibrox on November 7th, 2021, where goals from Joe Aribo, Ryan Kent and Juninho Bacuna sealed the points before Gerrard’s shock exit days later.
Gerrard has experienced mixed results since leaving Scotland, enduring a short-lived spell at Aston Villa before moving to Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia - where he was dismissed earlier this year after a poor run of form.
While not the best tactician, one thing Gerrard would do is drive standards, improve team morale and bring respect back to the position in the dugout that was sorely lacking under Martin. There are questions to be asked, does he still have the relentless drive of his first spell? Would Michael Beale return with him after his disastrous spell as manager in his own right? Would he be able to turn it round without an immediate transfer market?
Those must be answered by the Ibrox board during these talks with Gerrard, and for a board under fire, they must be answered correctly.