Steven Gerrard, the former Rangers boss, had three key reasons for turning down the opportunity to return to his old stomping ground. The club’s American owners were eager to bring back the title-winning Ibrox boss to replace Russell Martin. Despite being the fans’ top choice for a comeback, Gerrard withdrew from consideration after two days of discussions in London.
Now, former Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl and Shanghai Port boss Kevin Muscat are the front-runners for the vacant position. The reasons why Gerrard turned down the advances of his former side have now come to light. Over the weekend, it was reported that Gerrard felt the timing wasn’t right, a sentiment echoed by the former Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq boss.
According to talkSPORT, he also had ‘some reservations’ about ‘working under the current Rangers sporting structure’ following face-to-face talks, led by sporting director Kevin Thelwell.
This decision is not said to be a ‘personal’ issue with Thelwell, who joined from Everton in the summer, but rather Gerrard’s desire for ‘more autonomy’, similar to his first stint in the Ibrox dugout.
Additionally, the Liverpool legend was wary about the challenge of turning Rangers’ fortunes around mid-season.
Currently languishing in eighth place in the Scottish Premiership, the incoming manager will face significant pressure to salvage a disappointing campaign.
Gerrard reportedly ‘wants to bide his time’ and ‘would be more inclined to take a job over a summer when he’s got a full season ahead of him’.
His decision apparently ‘caught some within Rangers’ senior hierarchy by surprise’, sending them back to square one in their quest to find a replacement for Martin.
It comes after Ally McCoist demanded answers from the Rangers board regarding the Gerrard saga.
On talkSPORT, he said: ” I would be interested to know what changed Steven’s mind or what didn’t convince him. I said yesterday, family takes priority over everything, so I am thinking to myself is it maybe a financial thing?
“But the more I think about it, if it was that, he wouldn’t have came for the interview in the first place, would he? He would have just said it is impossible.
“So either they haven’t sold him it, or I would suggest something has happened in the interview process that hasn’t taken his fancy.”