Talk of Steven Gerrard returning for a second spell in charge of Rangers is gathering pace day by day.
Rangers News exclusively revealed a few days ago that the man who guided Rangers to their only Scottish Premiership title in the last 14 years was in contention.
The San Francisco 49ers are closing in on their attempted takeover of the Ibrox outfit. And some members of the 49ers are very much keen on the idea of Steven Gerrard returning to the club he left for Aston Villa back in November 2021.
The Liverpool legend is available after his spell in charge of Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ettifaq came to an end a couple of months ago.
And Rangers News can now confirm, via football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that there has been discussions between Steven Gerrard and the San Francisco 49ers. The Champions League, FA Cup and UEFA Cup winner is keen on the idea of a second stab at the Ibrox gig too, though there is one stumbling block which must first be overcome.
Steven Gerrard in talks to return to Rangers in dramatic twist
It is understood that, should Rangers look to progress to the next stage of the conversation, they would have to contend with a tax issue.
Gerrard would owe a considerable fee to the HMRC should he return to Britain in the near future, and this is something Rangers may have to factor in when discussing terms and the size of the former England international’s pay-packet.
Yet, if that hurdle can be navigated, there will be a very real chance that a man who led Rangers to an Invincible season with 32 wins out of 38 and a final points tally of 102 will return to pick up where he left off at Ibrox.
Interestingly, Steven Gerrard was linked with the Leeds United job shortly after Paraag Marathe and the 49ers got involved at Elland Road.
Daniel Farke would take over later that summer. Marathe described the German as a ‘highly-respected first-team manager with a track record of success’, Farke having guided Norwich City to the Championship title on two separate occasions.
Presuming that is the approach the 49ers take at Rangers too, Gerrard would certainly tick the box marked prior success. The Glasgow giants have fallen considerably behind Celtic since his departure, with neither Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Mick Beale nor Philippe Clement able to arrest the growing gulf.
Rangers are currently 16 points behind their Old Firm rivals.
Gerrard’s former Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez has been linked with Ibrox job too
In addition to Gerrard, his one-time Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has also been mentioned as a potential target.
Rangers News have heard that Rangers were made aware of Benitez’s availability. Though, as things stand, they are yet to make an official approach for a 64-year-old Spaniard who has been out of work since a brief stint at Celta Vigo.
“I would take [Benitez] all day long,” former Gers forward Dalziel says. “Based on everything [he has done in his career], plus the fact I look at the other side of the city and I look at what they’ve got in Brendan Rodgers.
“I think Rangers need a big character who really believes in himself to go head to head [with Celtic].”
As things stand, however, the signs are pointing towards a second spell at the helm for Steven Gerrard.
