Steven Gerrard called out after Rangers manager drama – ‘What are you talking about?’
Steven Gerrard’s return to Rangers fell through at the last moment despite positive talks with Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe.
Gerrard was primed for a Rangers return, yet news broke out on 10 October that no agreement could be made with the Rangers board.
As a result, Kevin Muscat is now the favourite for the Rangers job, whilst Danny Rohl is also in contention.
Gerrard sent a message to Rangers fans after it was confirmed he wouldn’t return, yet he has since been called out for the excuses he made.
Steven Gerrard makes weak excuse for not joining Rangers
Gerrard is loved by Rangers fans after spending three years in Govan between 2018 and 2021.
Despite only winning one trophy out of a possible nine, the 45-year-old would have been welcomed back warmly by Light Blues supporters who are still waiting to see who will take charge for Saturday’s match against Dundee United at Ibrox.
Former Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has criticised Gerrard for not being upfront with the Bears fans.
Speaking on ESPN, he said: “I don’t believe he really wants another big job. If he did, then he would take this one. He said, ‘The timing is wrong.’
“That’s just an excuse for saying, ‘I am not interested.’ Let’s be honest, that’s all it is. The timing isn’t right? What are you talking about?!”
- Gerrard won the Scottish Premiership in 2020-21 and ended the possibility of Celtic winning 10-in-a-row
- He claimed seven Scottish Premiership Manager of the Month awards
- Has the 15th-best win percentage of any Rangers manager in the club’s history
Russell Martin’s disastrous reign has plunged Rangers into chaos, and the failure to bring Gerrard back to G51 would have been a tough pill to swallow for Gers fans.
Since being sacked by Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ettifaq in January, Gerrard’s break from management cast doubts among supporters, given his lack of success since leaving Rangers.
The former Liverpool midfielder is yet to give an elaborate explanation as to why he turned down the job, and raises the question as to whether he will ever return to Govan.
With Muscat now primed to take charge, perhaps the failure to bring back Gerrard could prove to be a blessing in disguise.
Kevin Muscat could achieve more success than Steven Gerrard
The ex-Rangers defender has had a steady rise in his managerial career, taking an unusual route before being linked with the Rangers vacancy.
Having worked closely under Ange Postecoglou, Muscat has gone on to win seven trophies in the last 11 years and is on course to win the Chinese Super League with Shanghai Port.
Whilst his stints in Asia and briefly Europe are incomparable to the pressure he will face at Ibrox, there is proven evidence that he is capable of leading a team to titles in different environments.
This is something that Martin, Rohl, and Gerrard have all failed to do on a wider scale, and means that he has the potential to cope with the demands of Rangers fans.
Should Muscat be appointed, the Rangers board will have to fully back him, as they continue to face the wrath of disheartened supporters.
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