Steven Gerrard has reportedly turned down the chance to return as Rangers manager following the dismissal of Russell Martin, despite being the club’s top target for the role.
The Liverpool legend, who famously led Rangers to a league title in 2021, was approached after their poor start to the 2025-26 season. But he decided against taking the risk amid growing pressure at Ibrox.
Rangers have won just one of their opening seven Premiership games and sit 11 points off the top, leaving the club in turmoil.
[OLBD reports] former Scotland international Pat Nevin believes Gerrard made the right call, describing the current job as a “really tough” one.
“Steven Gerrard’s the last one that won a title and stopped Celtic doing ten in a row,” Nevin said. “When you walk in, they’re so far behind the league. The expectation is massive – even second place won’t please fans.”
Nevin added that the Ibrox role could damage even top managers’ reputations.
“You can go in there as a well-respected manager and come out as a laughing stock,” he said. “That’s maybe what’s happened with Stevie G this time. He needs a job and a profile, but he’s looked at them and thought, ‘I don’t know about that.’”
Rangers face Dundee United next, still without a permanent manager, and risk falling further behind in both domestic and European competitions if they fail to stabilise soon.
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