Alious
With Rangers poised for a major shift in ownership, the club’s search for a new permanent manager is heating up—and former Ibrox defender Alan Hutton believes a return for Steven Gerrard could be the most stable option for the new regime.
Barry Ferguson is currently serving as interim boss until the end of the season, filling the void left by Philippe Clement’s departure in February. However, a long-term appointment remains on hold as a US-based consortium, led by health insurance tycoon Andrew Cavenagh and backed by the 49ers Enterprises (owners of Leeds United), finalizes a takeover deal. That decision, Hutton says, could shape the future direction of the club—starting with who leads them from the dugout.
In Hutton’s view, Gerrard represents a more reliable choice than Ferguson, despite the former midfielder’s solid start in his caretaker role. “If the new owners are looking for someone who knows the club and has already succeeded there, Gerrard’s the obvious candidate,” Hutton told *Betway*. “He’s lifted the title at Ibrox, understands the pressures, and knows what’s required on a weekly basis.”
Gerrard’s managerial career has been a mixed bag since his 2021 departure from Rangers. After an underwhelming stint at Aston Villa and a brief, turbulent spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq, he finds himself available again. Yet Hutton believes that Gerrard’s past success in Glasgow still makes him a strong candidate.
He also contrasted that with Ferguson’s current performance, acknowledging the interim boss has reintroduced belief and discipline to the squad. “Barry’s made a real impact—just look at the performances against Celtic and Fenerbahce,” Hutton noted. “But to earn a shot at the job permanently, he’ll need a strong finish in both the league and Europe. Only then will the new ownership sit down with him to evaluate his future.”
However, Hutton admitted it’s difficult to predict which direction the American consortium will take when they assume control. “This is one of the toughest times I’ve had to call it,” he said. “You hear names like Frank Lampard or Gerrard being floated, but with new owners, there’s no way to know their vision. Will they prefer someone with European pedigree? Someone local? Or someone entirely off the radar?”
Looking ahead to squad planning, Hutton also gave his opinion on veteran right-back and club captain James Tavernier. With just a year left on his contract, some have speculated Rangers could look to cash in—but Hutton disagrees.
“Any opportunity to sell him for big money is gone due to his age,” he said. “He’s been an outstanding servant to the club—his goals, assists, and leadership have all been exceptional. It wouldn’t make sense to lose that now. He could still play a key role, especially helping to integrate a younger right-back like Dujon Sterling or any new signing in that position.”
In Hutton’s view, keeping Tavernier around in a mentorship capacity while managing his minutes could help ease the transition into a new era—on and off the pitch—as Rangers brace for an ownership overhaul and fresh ambitions.
Alious
