Steven Gerrard has been linked with a return to Rangers as the San Francisco 49ers ownership group edges close taking control at Ibrox – but one of his ex-team-mates suspects he wouldn’t take the job
Steven Gerrard could reject a sensational return to the Rangers, says former Liverpool teammate Didi Hamann. Gerrard is on the list of high-profile contenders linked with the managerial hotseat at Ibrox as the San Francisco 49ers’ prospective takeover looms.
Gerrard famously led Rangers to the Scottish Premiership crown 2020/21 season, wrecking Celtic’s bid for a 10th title in a row in the process. However, since leaving Ibrox, Gerrard’s management career has stalled, with a disappointing year at Aston Villa followed by a brief and unsuccessful period in Saudi Arabia with Al Ettifaq.
Still held in high regard by the Rangers faithful, Gerrard could be given the opportunity to resurrect his managerial aspirations at the club, unless current interim boss Barry Ferguson secures the position permanently.
However, Hamann has expressed reservations about Gerrard’s willingness to return to Scottish football and the pressure to live up to his previous success.
Speaking to BesteOnlineCasinoNederland, the German said: “Even though he isn’t coaching, I think Steven Gerrard is very settled at the moment.
“When it comes to going back to Rangers you have to be very careful because expectations will be high. If he went back, then fans would be expecting him to win the title but I think there is a very big gap to Celtic now.
“It’s not easy to take so many points in Scotland and go so close to taking Bayern Munich to extra-time [in the Champions League]. I think Gerrard would need to contemplate things.
“He would need to ask what money he could spend and what team he could build. If he doesn’t think he has a chance to overtake Celtic, then it’ll be a very short conversation and him turning it down.”
To back up Hamann’s theory, Gerrard has indicated he has no immediate plans to return to management. Speaking on That Peter Crouch Podcast, he revealed: “I don’t want to be back in work, mate. Not at the moment.
“I’ve just come out, so I’m happy with waking up and being free, doing the family stuff. I’m just being free, away from stress and all that.
“I will go back in at some point, but when it’s around the clock, which I’ve been doing the last 18-19 months in terms of the last job, I just want to be free.
“I just want to have a game of golf, go down the boozer and have a couple of beers.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.