Steven Gerrard hasn’t rushed into a new job since his time in charge of Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq ended in January but he could be back in the dugout this summer
Former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard could be in line for a surprise return to Ibrox. The 44-year-old won the Scottish Premiership title in his first spell, but has been out of work since January.
Gerrard left Rangers for Aston Villa in November 2021, but lasted just 11 months in charge of the Premier League club. He took over at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq in the summer of 2023, securing a sixth place finish in his first season, but left midway through the current campaign by mutual agreement.
Rangers replaced Gerrard with Gio van Bronckhorst, who would himself be succeeded by Mick Beale and then Philippe Clement. Belgian boss Clement was dismissed in February, with Barry Ferguson taking temporary charge until the end of the season, but a new appointment is expected this summer.
According to The Telegraph, Gerrard is one of a number of names in the running. The number of contenders is said to be in double-figures at this stage., with former Premier League bosses in the conversation.
Gary O’Neil, Rob Edwards and Russell Martin are among those in the mix, along with unnamed foreign candidates. Former Southampton boss Martin spent time at Rangers during his playing days, and has been out of work since leaving St Mary’s in December.
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Martin said on Sunday he feels ready to return to management, telling Match of the Day 2: “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.
“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.”
Rangers have already locked up second place in the league this season, and will enter next season’s Champions League in the second qualifying round. They recorded a thumping 4-0 win over Aberdeen over the weekend, with interim boss Ferguson praising his team’s display.
“I was a little bit frustrated and angry in the first half,” Ferguson said as four goals after the break gave his team victory. “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.”
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