Liverpool and England legend Steven Gerrard may be on the verge of a sensational return to Rangers, a club he previously managed to an unbeaten Scottish Premiership title.
Also Read: Steven Gerrard Booed by Al-Ettifaq Fans Amid Winless Streak
Gerrard, 44, has been facing intense scrutiny as manager of Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, with the team slipping to 12th place in the league after winning only three of their first 12 games. Despite signing a contract extension in January 2023 to keep him in Saudi Arabia until 2027, the club is reportedly considering his dismissal due to recent poor results, leaving them just four points above the relegation zone.
Rangers, meanwhile, find themselves in a similarly challenging position. Current manager Philippe Clement has been underperforming, with the team sitting third in the Scottish Premiership, already 12 points behind early leaders Aberdeen. Former England star Danny Murphy has hinted that a return to Rangers could be possible for Gerrard, noting the unique challenge it would present.
“He’s a determined man who wants to work hard. If he went back and won the league, overcoming Celtic again would be a huge achievement,” Murphy said, though he acknowledged it wouldn’t be easy given the widened gap between Rangers and Celtic since Gerrard’s departure.
Gerrard’s success at Rangers during the 2020-21 season was one of his most impressive managerial accomplishments, leading the club to a historic unbeaten league campaign and twice defeating Celtic. However, Rangers’ recent struggles have left fans questioning Clement’s suitability.
Scottish football icon Chris Sutton expressed his concerns, describing the manager’s performance as lacking and his statements as overly optimistic given Rangers’ current state. Sutton emphasized that the club’s broader leadership issues compound the challenges on the pitch.
As Gerrard’s struggles at Al-Ettifaq continue and Rangers look to regain their footing, speculation about a potential reunion between Gerrard and his former club is growing. With Liverpool and Aston Villa, two of Gerrard’s former clubs, performing well under current managers Arne Slot and Unai Emery, Rangers supporters hope that the return of a club legend could bring the spark they need to contend at the top once again.