Steven Gerrard has been linked with a return to Rangers of late.
After the sacking of Philippe Clement in February, speculation over a sensational Ibrox comeback for Gerrard had arisen.
Barry Ferguson was handed the interim manager role until the end of the current season, but that did not abate the links over Gerrard returning on a full-time basis.
Gerrard – who delivered Rangers’ 55th Scottish league title in 2021 – is currently out of work after an 18-month spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq.
He managed 59 games for Al-Ettifaq but left at the end of January with a disappointing 39 win percentage. So what’s in store for Gerrard now?
Ex-Rangers boss Gerrard not seeking immediate dugout return
Well, he’s been speaking to his former Liverpool and England teammate Peter Crouch on That Peter Crouch Podcast and was quizzed on his immediate future.
Is he looking for a quick-fire return to the dugout, possibly at Rangers? The emphatic answer was no, with Gerrard confessing he is enjoying time with family and certainly isn’t missing the stressful environment of football management.
Gerrard said: “I don’t want to be back in work mate. Not at the moment.
“I’ve just come out, so I’m happy with waking up and being free, doing the family stuff. I’m just being free, away from stress and all that.
“I will go back in at some point, but when it’s around the clock, which I’ve been doing the last 18-19 months in terms of the last job, I just want to be free. I just want to have a game of golf, go down the boozer and have a couple of beers.
“I want to do normal things that you can’t really do when you’re coaching, so I am all good. I’m good and stress free.
“I’m out of work in terms of the coaching and management, which is obviously 24/7. I’m back in Liverpool for a couple of weeks, seeing friends and family. I’m great, I’m all good.”
Who are the current next Rangers manager favourites?
Barry Ferguson is doing himself zero harm in his own bid to become the new permanent Rangers manager, beating Celtic and progressing to the Europa League quarter-finals so far.
He is currently the favourite to take the Ibrox hot seat in the summer, with former Southampton manager and ex-Rangers defender Russell Martin second in the running.
Andy Halliday has advocated Martin’s abilities and style of play as a coach, but Martin confessed he wants a Premier League return.
Despite Steven Gerrard ruling out an immediate dugout return, he is still high up in the running to become the next Rangers boss.
Elsewhere, Marco Rose – recently sacked by RB Leipzig – and current Fenerbahce gaffer Jose Mourinho are seemingly in with a shout.
