Steven Gerrard details reasons for Rangers snub despite ‘interesting talks’ with club – ‘It felt a bit rushed’
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/09/16/image-70e52184-1d6b-4d9c-a172-9a13d4a3a1d9-68-310-310.jpeg)
Published 01/11/2025 at 22:12 GMT
React to this story
Steven Gerrard was "very close" to replacing Russell Martin as Rangers manager, he told TNT Sports ahead of Liverpool taking on Aston Villa in the Premier League live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Gerrard won the Scottish Premiership at Ibrox and most recently coached Al Ettifaq but has been out of management since January and said he had "positive talks" about an Ibrox return.
'It would have to be perfect' - Gerrard discusses his connection with Rangers
Video credit: TNT Sports
Steven Gerrard told TNT Sports he came "very close" to returning as Rangers manager but said it was not right for him and his family.
Gerrard, who was speaking as a pundit ahead of Liverpool against Aston Villa live on TNT Sports and discovery+, took Rangers to their only Scottish Premiership title since 2011 before leaving for an ill-fated stint at Aston Villa and a spell managing Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq that came to an end in January.
The 45-year-old was heavily linked to the Rangers job vacated by Russell Martin before The Gers hired Danny Rohl, who lost his opening game in charge against Brann but has bounced back with league wins over Kilmarnock and Hibernian.
Rangers face Celtic in the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup on Sunday and Gerrard said he hoped the door would open again at Ibrox, but with his family still living in the Middle East, the Liverpool legend said he did not know if he could fully commit to the role.
Asked how close he came to taking the top job at Rangers, Gerrard told TNT Sports: "Very close. I had some really positive and interesting talks with the owners.
"It felt a bit rushed to me because I had my family in Bahrain at the time. I had a lot to think about in a short space of time to give a decision.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/01/image-117cd1ed-485c-4e19-afee-b38211a22c55-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'A wonderful human being' - Gerrard reflects on tragic Jota death
Video credit: TNT Sports
"There were a few things I was uncertain about, and if I am going to take a challenge that big and that important, I have got that affection and that connection with Rangers.
For me to take that on again it would have to be perfect and I had to be 100% ready.
"Unfortunately I was not due to the timing, so I stepped aside and I wish them all the best.
They have got a fantastic manager now, I will watch as a fan from afar and I will wish them all the best certainly tomorrow in the Old Firm game."
Gerrard: That chance might come again
Gerrard also defended the criticism he gave of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contentious free transfer to Real Madrid on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, telling TNT Sports he was always going to "speak from the heart".
And asked if the structure of Rangers behind the scenes played a factor in him turning down an Ibrox return, Gerrard added: "The timing was not right from a family point of view but of course you have to do your due diligence into certain things and if things are not perfect as well I have to analyse ‘is it right for me?’
"The pressure and the responsibilities on your shoulders at such a massive challenge and a massive club.
"My heart was there, and it always will be with Rangers but I have also got to look in the football side of it. Is it right for me, is the timing right and are things perfect for me to be the best version of myself in that job? Unfortunately, the timing did not feel right to me.
"And listen, I have got that much respect for Rangers and the supporters and the owners and everything connected to the club, I would not go in there if I was 80, 90% ready.
"But hopefully one day I will be more ready and more prepared for it and that chance might come again. If it does not, I wish the club all the very best moving forward but my heart was 100% there because I have got that connection with the club."
Watch the 2025/26 Premier League season on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement