Exclusive:Ex Rangers boss Steven Gerrard warned to take backwards step like Frank Lampard or risk managerial obscurity
A former Rangers title-winner has offered advice to the Liverpool legend, who came close to an Ibrox return as Russell Martin’ successor earlier this season
Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has been warned he needs to consider taking a backwards step in order to progress his stuttering managerial career - just like Frank Lampard has done.
The former England international became a legendary figure at Ibrox after he ended Celtic’s stranglehold on the Scottish Premiership by securing Rangers’ 55th league title back in 2021 before returning south of the border after being appointed Aston Villa manager.
The Liverpool icon has been out of work since leaving Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq in January 2025, but came close to making a sensational return to Glasgow earlier in the season after holding talks with the Light Blues’ new American owners over the possibility of becoming Russell Martin’s successor.
However, Gerrard walked away from negotiations after several rounds of discussions in London and has since been filling his time between living out in the Middle East and doing the odd bit of punditry work on his return to the UK.
The 45-year-old has been touted as a potential surprise option to take over from Arne Slot at Anfield this summer as the Reds endure a dismal defence of their Premier League crown this term.
But former Scotland international and ex-Rangers title-winning striker Andy Gray believes Liverpool will swerve their legendary former captain for someone with more experience.
Instead, Gray has warned Gerrard that a return to the dugout must happen soon of he will run the risk of becoming yesterday’s man. He would advise the Champions League winner to follow in Chelsea hero Lampard’s footsteps by rebuilding his managerial career in the English lower leagues.
Speaking exclusively to GlasgowWorld via BetSelect.co.uk, Gray said: “I'd be very careful if I was Steven, because people very quickly forget and move on, and I think he's been out of management for too long now.
“I think the classic example for me of what Steven should have done is what Frank Lampard, for instance, has done. Frank was in a job at Chelsea, lost it, but he wasn't prepared to sit around and wait. He dropped down to Derby, nearly got them promoted, and now he's got Coventry up into the English Championship.
“Just look at what he's doing there, wonderful stuff, learning his trade, learning about himself and his players.
“I think the longer you stay out of management, then certainly people won't start talking about Steven as a coach, they'll move on to other people who are current. So I think he has to be careful.
“If I was advising him, I would say, ‘Steven, if you get a chance of a decent Championship team, take it’, and just offer up Frank Lampard as an example of what you can achieve.
“Will he get the Liverpool job? No, I don't think he will. Even if they were to sack Arne Slot in the summer, I don't think Liverpool would appoint Steven at the moment. I think they'd go elsewhere. So if he wants to stay in coaching, my advice would be, get back on the bike, Steven.”
Boyhood Rangers fan Andy Gray reflects on short Ibrox spell
Gray spent one season at Ibrox towards the latter stages of his playing career under Graeme Souness after being signed as back-up following an injury to Kevin Drinkell in 1988. He played his part in a title-winning season, which marked the beginning of Rangers' nine-in-a-row run.
Reflecting on his 12-month stint in Govan, Gray admitted: “As a lifelong Rangers fan, from a lifelong Rangers family, for Graeme to give me the opportunity to end my career basically, where I had always wanted to play and never got the chance to was just incredible.
“It was as much for my family as it was for me, getting to take them to Ibrox almost on a bi-weekly basis and taking them up to the marble staircase and into the trophy room, the dressing room and places they'd never been before. That made it special and of course playing there, scoring at Ibrox and winning the league was just the the icing on the top of the cake.”
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