Steven Gerrard has sensationally rejected the chance to return as Rangers boss, stunning fans who had hoped for a fairytale reunion. The Liverpool legend was approached this week after the sacking of Russell Martin, but despite positive talks, he has decided the timing is not right for a comeback to Ibrox.
The 45-year-old met with Rangers chiefs earlier in the week, and insiders say discussions were encouraging. Gerrard remains open to managing the club again one day, and the board shares that ambition, but for now he has walked away from the opportunity. His decision leaves the club scrambling to find a new head coach as the season threatens to spiral out of control.
Gerrard, who guided Rangers to their first league title in a decade during the 2020–21 campaign, has been out of work since a turbulent spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq. He had recently spoken of his hunger to return to the dugout after difficult stints at Aston Villa and in the Gulf. However, the former England captain withdrew from the running on Saturday, ending hopes of a swift reunion with the Ibrox faithful.
Rangers are in disarray following Martin’s disastrous four months in charge. The former Southampton boss, hired in June on a three-year deal by the club’s new American owners, lasted just 17 matches. His appointment never won over the fans, and results quickly turned toxic. Rangers have won only once in their opening seven Premiership games, sitting eighth in the table ahead of next weekend’s clash with Dundee United.
Martin’s reign reached breaking point after a 1–1 draw with Falkirk before the international break. Angry supporters surrounded the team bus, forcing police to escort the manager from the ground. His record made grim reading, with just five wins in all competitions, a humiliating 9–1 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League play-offs, and an 11-point gap to leaders Hearts.
The Ibrox hierarchy had pinned their hopes on Gerrard to steady the ship and reunite the fractured fanbase. The American consortium led by chairman Andrew Cavanagh had considered him in the summer before turning to Martin. This time, Gerrard’s reluctance has left them back at square one.
Speaking on a podcast with Rio Ferdinand before Martin’s dismissal, Gerrard admitted he was eager to get back into management but stressed he wanted a team capable of winning trophies. For now, that team will not be Rangers and the Ibrox crisis shows no sign of easing.