Rangers ‘get Steven Gerrard answer’ as Ibrox manager search takes major twist
Rangers still do not know who will be their next permanent manager, with several different candidates all admired.
Philippe Clement was dismissed earlier this season, with Barry Ferguson since impressing as interim boss, but it appears likely that Rangers will aim to appoint a new permanent manager at the end of the season.
Several names have been linked with the role at Ibrox including Marco Rose, who was recently dismissed as manager of RB Leipzig, but the Rangers job is a tough one.
49ers Enterprises could complete a takeover of the club, which could see them back a new manager with extra funding, but one potential target has now ruled himself out of contention.
Steven Gerrard does not want Rangers return
Rangers’ last Scottish Premiership title came in 2020-21, with Steven Gerrard’s team winning the league unbeaten in an outstanding campaign.
Gerrard was popular at Ibrox as a result, but he made a shock departure in November 2021 as he moved to Aston Villa, where he endured a miserable time as manager.
The former Liverpool captain has now been linked with a sensational Rangers return, but speaking on That Peter Crouch Podcast, he revealed that he has no desire to return to management yet.
| Team | Position | Points | Wins | Draws | Defeats | Goals | Conceded |
| Rangers | 1st | 102 | 32 | 6 | 0 | 92 | 13 |
“I don’t want to be back in work, mate,” Gerrard told Crouch.
“Not at the moment. I’m good, stress free. I’m out of work in terms of coaching and management, which is obviously 24/7.
“I’m back in Liverpool for a couple of weeks, seeing friends and family. I’m great, I’m all good.
“I’ve just came 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 months, 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.
“I want to do normal things that you can’t really do when you’re coaching. I’m all good.”
Rangers should move on from Steven Gerrard
It is clear that following his ill-fated move to Saudi Arabia, Gerrard has no intention of returning to management any time soon, and Rangers will have to look elsewhere.
Although Gerrard was a success at Rangers, the club should move on to find a candidate to launch a fresh era under new ownership.
There is no guarantee that Gerrard would have had the same impact he did last time, especially after his poor stint at Villa Park, and given the manner in which he left before, there are certainly question marks over the former midfielder as a long-term option.
Rangers also cannot afford to waste any time in their pursuit of a new manager. Should they miss out on other candidates in a fruitless attempt to convince Gerrard to return, they will be significantly worse off.
It may be some time before Gerrard returns to management, but it seems highly unlikely that he will be in the Rangers hotseat at Ibrox again.
Given he was favourite for the job at one point, the fact he has now distanced himself is a twist, but at least the Gers will no longer waste any more time.