AliousRangers’ managerial search has quieted down, with fans shifting their focus to Barry Ferguson’s stint and the looming takeover by the San Francisco 49ers. Supporters eagerly await an official announcement regarding the deal, which is expected soon.
Initial concerns that the takeover could reduce Rangers to a feeder club have been alleviated by Paraag Marathe, the key figure behind the acquisition. Now, attention turns to what could be an active summer transfer window.
The dramatic victory over Fenerbahce highlighted the quality within the squad, but the next managerial appointment must ensure that routine domestic fixtures result in comfortable wins. This makes the speculation surrounding Steven Gerrard’s potential return even more surprising.
Gerrard Linked to Rangers – But with a Key Condition
Although Gerrard led Rangers to an unbeaten title-winning season, his tenure also saw disappointing domestic cup exits to St Mirren, Motherwell, and Aberdeen—the same teams Philippe Clement struggled against.
If he were to return, the crucial factor would be constructing a strong coaching team around him. Gerrard himself has previously acknowledged the importance of surrounding himself with specialists, as he explained on the *Robbie Fowler Podcast*:
“You need to self-analyze, understand your strengths, and recognize where you need support to build a top coaching team. I’ll never try to do someone else’s job when they’re better at it than I am.”
He also admitted that he lacks the coaching experience of managers like Brendan Rodgers, José Mourinho, or even his former assistant Michael Beale.
“I didn’t have the luxury of retiring early and spending 20 years developing as a coach. It would take me 15 to 20 years to become as good an on-pitch coach as Michael Beale, so I let Mick do what he does best.”
Who Would Be Gerrard’s Right-Hand Man?
Rangers already have key personnel in place to support a new manager. Issame Charai was brought in to add technical expertise, and the tactical setup Ferguson used against Fenerbahce was similar to the system Charai employed with Morocco’s U23s.
One major difference between Clement and a potential Gerrard return is delegation. Clement appeared to take on too much himself, struggling to implement a clear strategy against defensive-minded teams. If Gerrard is the frontrunner, Rangers already have a first-team coach in Charai—but adding a specialist set-piece coach would be the next logical step.
Rangers are striving for a clear footballing identity, and constant overhauls of the coaching staff will only disrupt progress. If Gerrard is appointed, the club must ensure the right backroom team is in place to maximize his strengths and drive the team forward.
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