Steven Gerrard’s reputation as one of Liverpool’s greatest players remains undisputed, but his managerial career has produced mixed results.
After beginning his coaching career with Liverpool’s academy, Gerrard took charge of Rangers in 2018. His spell in Scotland peaked during the 2020/21 campaign, when he guided Rangers to an unbeaten league season, collecting 102 points and conceding just 13 goals in 38 matches.
That success earned Gerrard a Premier League opportunity with Aston Villa in November 2021. However, his time in Birmingham proved difficult.
Villa finished 14th in his first season before he was dismissed after winning just two of their opening 12 league games in 2022/23 while his subsequent period at Al-Ettifaq ended prematurely.
Gerrard has admitted to holding talks with clubs but does not want Rangers to ask him to return, as that would likely mean the club are struggling.
Rangers are currently just two points behind Celtic after beating their rivals before the international break. It was their sixth consecutive victory, with their difficult start to the season now quickly forgotten despite their Conference League elimination to Czech side Jablonec.
When asked if he would ever return to Rangers on the Open Goal podcast, Gerrard said: “Who knows. What I would say is, I’ve been reluctant to come up for a certain amount of time and sit in the box with a suit on and blah blah because I don’t want to disrespect any manager that is in position.
“I have got nothing but respect for Derek McInnes. He was one of the toughest challenges for us as a group of staff when he was at Aberdeen.
“I hope he does well. I hope the club goes on and be successful where they maybe don’t need to come and ask someone like me.
“I follow Rangers I follow the results, I love the club. I want Derek McInnes to be successful, I’ve got nothing but respect for him.
“And I loved yesterday at the game. I went in the box speaking to Andy [Halliday] and Scott [Arfield]. Just watching another Old Firm. See driving up to the stadium, the scarves and being back in Ibrox and that, it was some buzz.”
The Liverpool and England legend added: “At the moment I am happy, I am doing TV with TNT. I have signed a new deal. I have got some other bits and bobs that I do, some commercial stuff.
“I became a grandad a year ago. I’m loving being around the family, I get enough time off. My work life balance is great. I’ve had quite a few offers and chats with teams and stuff but at the moment I am really happy with what I am doing.”
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