Steven Gerrard agreement reached over management return after Al-Ettifaq exit
Rumours are swirling about where Steven Gerrard might go next after leaving Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq, and an agreement appears to have been reached
A Celtic and Rangers icon have agreed Steven Gerrard could return to Ibrox
A sensational return to Rangers could be on the cards for Steven Gerrard following his departure from Al-Ettifaq.
The 44-year-old is back on the market after leaving the Saudi Pro League club by mutual consent just over a week ago, ending a challenging 18-month spell in charge. Since his exit, he has been linked with clubs such as Carlisle United, Derby County, and Wycombe Wanderers – alongside speculation about a potential Rangers comeback.At Ibrox, Gerrard famously led the club to the Scottish Premiership title in 2021 – their first in a decade. Now, ‘Gers legend Ally McCoist believes a return to Glasgow could be exactly what the former Liverpool captain needs following a couple of disappointing managerial spells. “It wouldn’t surprise me if Steven Gerrard came back to Ibrox,” McCoist told talkSPORT BET. “He’s obviously held in really high regard by the supporters because of the league title he won, and his next job is going to be vitally important for him.”Things haven’t gone according to plan for him after he left Rangers. A little bit like Frank Lampard going to Coventry – his next appointment was really important to him as well, so we’ll see what Steven ends up choosing to do with his career.”
The notion of a potential Ibrox return for Gerrard appears to have backing from both sides of the Old Firm divide, with former Celtic manager Neil Lennon suggesting that nothing should be ‘ruled out,’ echoing McCoist’s sentiments.”Steven Gerrard back to Rangers? You never know in football,” the Irishman told Casino Uden Rofus. “You never know where the next project or next adventure will take you. You can never rule anything like that out. At the minute, Philippe Clement is steadying the ship with Rangers. He’ll want to make progression and inroads into the rest of the season and obviously build for next year. But in the future, who knows.”
Gerrard’s managerial career took a turn for the worse when he left Rangers to join Aston Villa in 2021. He lasted just 11 months in the job and was sacked mid-way through the 2022/23 season after Villa won just two of their opening 12 Premier League games.
At Al-Ettifaq, Gerrard struggled to progress the team despite an influx of overseas talent, including former Liverpool duo Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum, who joined in 2023. The club finished sixth in the Saudi Pro League last season but had slipped to 11th by the time Gerrard left. Rangers have struggled since Gerrard’s departure, too, finishing second behind Celtic in each of the last three seasons. They appear on course for a fourth consecutive runners-up finish, currently trailing their arch-rivals by 13 points in the league.
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