# Steven Gerrard Admits Russell Martin Helped Shape Return Decision Amid Board Shortcomings
In a candid revelation that has sent shockwaves through Scottish football, Steven Gerrard has confessed that ousted Rangers head coach Russell Martin played a pivotal role in his deliberations over a potential Ibrox comeback. The Liverpool legend, fresh from turning down the Gers’ advances, shared a revealing conversation with Martin that ultimately tipped the scales—while delivering a stark verdict on the club’s board.
Gerrard, 45, who masterminded Rangers’ invincible 2020-21 Premiership triumph, was the frontrunner to replace Martin following the latter’s abrupt sacking after just 123 days and 17 games. Martin’s tenure was a disaster: a meagre 29% win rate, one league victory, and Rangers languishing eighth, 11 points adrift of leaders Hearts. The former Southampton boss’s possession-heavy style clashed with Ibrox’s high-octane expectations, culminating in fan fury—from tennis balls hurled onto the pitch to posters defacing his image.
Talks with Gerrard spanned Thursday and Friday last week, but the ex-Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq manager stepped away, citing poor timing. In an exclusive interview on the *Rio Meets* podcast, Gerrard opened up about the behind-the-scenes drama. “I had a long chat with Russell before everything blew up,” he disclosed. “He was straight with me—told me about the board’s hesitancy on transfers and how they weren’t backing his vision fully. It made me think hard about what I need to succeed.”
That exchange, Gerrard admitted, was the catalyst. Martin, still raw from his exit, had confided frustrations over limited recruitment support, echoing Gerrard’s own 2021 plea to “fix the roof while the sun is shining.” “Russell helped make the decision clear,” Gerrard said. “The board doesn’t meet a top coach’s requirements right now. They talk big on ambition, but when push comes to shove, the resources and trust aren’t there. I need people around me who believe in the project fully—no half-measures.”
Gerrard’s candour underscores deeper Ibrox woes under new ownership. Despite inheriting goodwill, executives have faced backlash for Martin’s appointment—a “vegan Buddhist” hire that ignored fan pleas for proven pedigree. Gerrard, who harbours “unfinished business” at Rangers, insists his door remains ajar for the “perfect match.” But his verdict stings: without board evolution, even a prodigal son like him can’t deliver silverware.
As Rangers pivot to candidates like Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl, the clock ticks. Gerrard’s words? A wake-up call the Light Blues can’t ignore.
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