Jermain Defoe rumoured for Rangers return as three more coaches set to join Steven Gerrard
Rangers are set to hold talks over the appointment of Steven Gerrard, with the former manager reportedly open to the move.
Gerrard has emerged as Rangers’ first choice to replace Russell Martin, after the Englishman was sacked on Sunday.
The former Southampton boss was only hired in June, but won just five games from 17 in a dismal four months in charge.
Derek McInnes has been ruled out as an option for Rangers, with the Hearts boss in favour of staying put in Edinburgh.
Kevin Muscat has also been mooted as an option for Rangers, but such a deal would be tricky considering the Australian’s contract in the Chinese Super League.
Keith Jackson shares Steven Gerrard backroom staff insight
Gerrard enjoyed a brilliant first stint in charge of Rangers, winning 124 of his 192 matches in charge over the three years he was at Ibrox.
The former Liverpool midfielder won the Scottish Premiership unbeaten in the 2020-21 season, but left the club soon after to join Aston Villa.
| Steven Gerrard | Rangers |
| Games | 192 |
| Wins | 124 |
| Draws | 41 |
| Losses | 27 |
| Scored | 407 |
| Conceded | 139 |
The move to the Premier League did not work out, and Gerrard later was named manager of Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League – the team he left in January.
But now the 45-year-old is keen to get his managerial career back on track, and could do so by returning to the team he started it at.
Speaking to the Daily Records’ podcast, Hotline Live, on Wednesday, Keith Jackson confirmed that Gerrard’s backroom staff have already been suggested.
“This is unconfirmed,” the journalist explained. “I don’t know if it’s even just a rumour doing the rounds, but it is coming from someone who is fairly well connected.
“Gerrard, Gary Mc(Allister), Billy Reid, Jermain Defoe and Tom Kilshaw.“
- Read more: ‘I think Steven Gerrard will go to Rangers after what happened in interview’ – Rio Ferdinand
Jermaine Defoe would embrace return to ‘special’ Rangers
A legendary Premier League striker, Defoe enjoyed three years at Rangers as a player, scoring 32 goals and providing 10 assists across 74 appearances in his time at Ibrox.
In 2021, he was named player-coach, in a move that he described as “special”. He would later take part in a four-man caretaker team that took charge after Gerrard departed.
His return, along with Gerrard’s would be a huge boost to the Rangers faithful, who are in desperate need of familiar faces to overcome a difficult period.
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