Steven Gerrard 'closer than ever' to return to managerial job

Steven Gerrard's managerial career hasn't gone to plan since he left Rangers in 2021 to take the vacant Aston Villa position. After a turbulent year in the Premier League, the former Liverpool captain spent a year and a half in Saudi Arabia at Al-Ettifaq.

Now, Gerrard is set for a return to Rangers after the club sacked first-year coach Russell Martin less than a few months into his appointment. Italian football insider Fabrizio Romano confirmed the move on X.

"Gerrard’s return to Rangers is closer than ever, with talks advancing and set to continue this week. Positive initial discussions in the last 24h and Rangers hierarchy set to meet with Gerrard to discuss further details," Romano wrote.

Gerrard first landed at Rangers in 2018 after a stint with the Liverpool U18s. He imported a few ex-Liverpool youngsters to invigorate the influx from the Scottish side.

By 2021, Gerrard helped Rangers end Celtic's stranglehold on Scottish football, preventing Celtic from capturing a 10th straight title by claiming the crown himself.

After achieving a 64.8% winning percentage in Scotland (winning the 2021 PFGA Scotland Manager of the Year and seven Manager of the Month honors), Gerrard's record slumped to 32.5% with Aston Villa and 39% with Al-Ettifaq.

“There’s a part of me that still feels that there’s a bit of unfinished business in terms of wanting to go in and face another couple of exciting challenges," Gerrard told Rio Ferdinand recently on a podcast.

“But I want a certain type of challenge. If in an ideal world they become available, I’ll jump at them......If they don’t, I won’t go back in. I want to be on a team that’s going to compete to win because I think that suits me better."

Ex-Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack hopes the move can get finalized. "If the club can convince him to come back, and he can go and get hold of the changing room, get the staff and the fans behind the club, then I think it would be a great appointment," he said.

Rangers brought in a host of talent over the summer, including Tottenham loanee Mikey Moore, Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Djeidi Gassama, Everton forward Yossef Chermiti, Luton midfielder Thelo Aasgard, and others.

In the summer, the side sold Hamza Igamane, Cyriel Dessers, Ridvan Yilmaz, Jefte, and others. James Tavernier starred under Gerrard during his first tenure with the club and still looms.

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