# Rangers Set For Second Brutal Managerial Snub After Steven Gerrard Turns Down Return
Rangers’ turbulent season has taken another gut-wrenching turn, with Steven Gerrard reportedly rejecting a sensational return to Ibrox – marking the club’s second major managerial snub in as many months. The Liverpool legend, who etched his name into Gers folklore with an invincible 2020/21 Scottish Premiership title, has left the board scrambling for answers amid a dismal campaign.
The writing was on the wall for Russell Martin after just 17 games. The 39-year-old Southampton reject arrived in the summer with high hopes but oversaw a shambolic start, leaving Rangers eighth in the table and 11 points adrift of leaders Celtic. With only one win from seven league outings, Martin’s tenure ended in farce – complete with a police escort after his final match – making him the shortest-serving boss in the club’s history.
In the ensuing chaos, Rangers turned to their prodigal son. Gerrard, out of work since departing Al-Ettifaq in January after 18 months of underwhelming Saudi stints, held positive talks with the Ibrox hierarchy. Sources close to the negotiations reveal an agreement was tantalizingly close, reigniting dreams of a second coming for the man who delivered Rangers’ first title in 14 years without a single defeat.
But heartbreak struck again. Journalist Ben Jacobs dropped the bombshell: “Steven Gerrard has decided to withdraw from contention for the Rangers role. Gerrard has decided the timing wasn’t quite right to return and has now removed himself from the process. Conversations were positive, and a full agreement was almost reached. Understand both sides have agreed to leave the door open for the future.”
This isn’t the first slap in the face for Rangers this year. Just months ago, in the wake of Philippe Clement’s February sacking, the club endured a humiliating rejection from top target Gary O’Neil – the former Wolves boss who opted for a Premier League lifeline instead. That snub plunged Ibrox into interim limbo under Barry Ferguson, paving the way for Martin’s ill-fated appointment. Now, with Gerrard – the man who started it all in 2018 – saying no, the pressure mounts on directors to steady the ship.
Gerrard, still based in Bahrain, has been vocal about his selectivity since leaving the Middle East. In a recent chat on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, he admitted: “I’m eager to get back into management, but it has to be the right fit.” Fans, though, are gutted. One supporter tweeted: “Stevie G was our invincible dream. Twice burned, Rangers – sort this mess out.”
As Gerrard penned a heartfelt message to the faithful – “Ibrox will always hold a special place; thank you for the memories” – Rangers eye alternatives. Danny Rohl emerges as the frontrunner after a glowing interview, with Slaven Bilic, Mark van Bommel, and Stephen Robinson also in the mix. The German’s progressive style could inject fresh life, but whispers of boardroom unrest grow louder.
Next up: a must-win against Dundee United on Saturday. Fail to rally, and this season’s title aspirations could evaporate. For a club craving stability, these back-to-back snubs sting like Old Firm defeats. Gerrard’s exit leaves a void – but Rangers have clawed back from worse. Time to roar again.
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