Steven Gerrard discovers chances of Rangers return with appointment ‘almost certain’

Steven Gerrard has been linked with a return to Rangers as they eye their next manager – but the Liverpool legend may have missed out to Carlo Ancelotti’s son, Davide

Steven Gerrard could be about to miss out on a return to Rangers as the Scottish side close in on appointing Davide Ancelotti as manager. Son of the legendary Carlo, the 35-year-old could be about to take his first step out on his own.

Rangers have been looking for a permanent successor to Philippe Clement and had considered a number of targets but look to have landed on the Real Madrid assistant. Davide has been assistant to his father in his last four jobs.

Spanish outlet AS report that the deal is ‘almost certain’ to go ahead with Rangers’ new ownership scouring the market for a new manager. He’s expected to bring Francesco Mauri, another key member of his Carlo’s backroom staff, to be his assistant at Ibrox.

Davide is set to continue assisting his father when he takes over as Brazil manager for matches against Ecuador and Paraguay in early June before heading to Glasgow to begin pre-season.

Gerrard was reportedly on a longlist of potential candidates as a return to Scotland was talked up. The Rangers’ job was the first managerial gig for the Liverpool legend, who is the only man to deliver them the title since 2011.

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He won the title in his third season at Ibrox before leaving midseason to take over at Aston Villa. The team he built went on to make the Europa League final months after his exit and the former Red originally made an impact at Villa Park, but lasted less than a year before he was sacked.

Gerrard then opted to take his managerial ambitions to Saudi Arabia, where he became the manager of Al Ettifaq. His stint there was brought to an end in January with the team sat 12th in the table – five points above the relegation zone.

Barry Ferguson has been in interim charge of Rangers since Clement left in February – winning five of the 13 games he’s been at the helm – and the Telegraph had claimed the list of potential managers ran into double-figures. Former Wolves manager Gary O’Neil was thought to be under consideration.

Ex-Luton Town manager Rob Edwards was among those also being considered whilst Russell Martin, who had a loan spell at Rangers as a player before managing at MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton was on their radar.

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