Steven Gerrard has made thoughts clear on management return amid Rangers speculation

Steven Gerrard is adamant he is enjoying life away from management as he continues to be linked with a return to Rangers. The speculation has arisen once more following Russell Martin's axe from the Scottish side after a run of poor results that sees the club languishing in eighth place in the league table.

A1-1 draw against newly-promoted Falkirk on Sunday was the final straw for the Gers hierarchy as they announced the ex-Southamptonboss' departure hours after the game. A statement read: "Rangers Football Club confirms that it has parted company with head coach, Russell Martin. While all transition periods require some time, results have not met the club's expectations."

Following Martin's axing, Gerrard has returned to the frame to become the club's next manager. The ex-Liverpoolstar saw success in Scotland the first time around, winning a league title with Rangers during his time in charge.

However, Gerrard told he was enjoying life away from management after departing Saudi Pro Leagueside Al-Ettifaq at the start of 2025. Speaking in April, the former England star said: "I don't want to be back in work, not at the moment. I've just come out, so I am happy waking up, being free, doing the family stuff and being free from the stress.

"I will go back in at some point but when it is round the clock for 18 months, I just want to be free and do normal things that you can't do when you are coaching like a game of golf or go down the boozer. I want to do normal things that you can't really do when you're coaching, so I am all good.

READ MORE: Steven Gerrard tipped for Rangers reunion after brutal Russell Martin sacking

READ MORE: Russell Martin given police escort as furious Rangers fans block team bus after Falkirk draw

"I'm good and stress free. I’m out of work in terms of the coaching and management, which is obviously 24/7."

Despite this firm stance, Gerrard remains one of the frontrunners with the bookmakers. Ex-Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the 45-year-old is "always going to be one" that the club consider when searching for a new manager.

Brown added: "I think he’s exactly the type of manager they need, because he’s somebody who the fans and the players can get behind and somebody who is going to push them forward. He knows the club, knows the people, knows the fanbase, and he’d be able to go in there and immediately get everybody pulling in the same direction.

"I hear he would welcome the chance to go back to Rangers, but I expect he will want assurances that he will be backed financially. At the end of the day, you can point the finger at the manager or whoever, but that squad is not good enough to compete with Celtic.

"Gerrard has good connections in the game and players want to play under him, we saw that in his first stint there, so he’ll want to bring in some of these players. If he comes in at Rangers a bit closer to the window, he will expect to be allowed to strengthen the squad, because if not he might struggle to turn things around."

Rangers icon Ally McCoist was a big fan of Gerrard when he was in charge. The ex-striker told talkSPORTat the time: "In all seriousness, I have got to say a tremendous job by Steven and Gary and Michael and indeed most of all the players. It has been a truly remarkable season when you look at the stats, lads."

talkSPORT’s Scottish football expert David Tanner tipped Gerrard for the job more recently, snubbing former interim manager Barry Ferguson. Speaking after Rangers’ defeat to Genk, Tanner said: "I don’t think they can go back to Barry Ferguson, I’d be very surprised. There’s a feeling amongst supporters that Steven Gerrard would be welcomed back.

"I think it’s worth remembering, particularly on European nights, how much rebuilding Gerrard did; he was starting from zero after the shambles of Rangers’ lower league seasons. So I think the supporters would welcome him back."

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