Steven Gerrard is seeking clarity on the new hierarchy at Ibrox before deciding whether to proceed with discussions about a sensational return to Rangers. The former Gers manager is expected to hold preliminary talks with the club’s new American owners in London this week, possibly as early as Thursday. However, sources close to the Ibrox legend insist these are just the first “exploratory” steps in the process, which could still take some time to be finalized.
This week’s first meeting, which has not yet reached the formal interview stage, was designed to give the 45-year-old a better understanding of the new Gers hierarchy following the club’s US takeover. It was reported earlier this week that Gerrard has concerns about taking over a struggling side who are currently 11 points behind leaders Hearts after just seven games. That said, he is now understood to be willing to at least meet and listen to Ger chiefs.
The former England captain’s first stint at the club came in 2018, when he was appointed by then chairman Dave King to lead a board made up primarily of the club’s lifelong and wealthy supporters.
Douglas Park became Gerrard’s line manager after King, a South African-based businessman, stepped down due to the coronavirus pandemic, leading Gerrard to the league title in 2021.
However, the car industry tycoon ended up being held largely responsible for the penny-pinching approach that ultimately led to Gerrard’s resignation later that year.
Since then, things have changed significantly for the club, which is now led by an American consortium led by Andrew Kavena and its San Francisco 49ers partners.
Mr Cavenagh is at the forefront of the revamped board, with 49ers Enterprise executive and Leeds United chairman Parag Marathe representing him.
But the day-to-day running of the club has been left to beleaguered chief executive Patrick Stewart and under-the-radar sporting director Kevin Thelwell.
Gerrard will now seek to clarify the roles and responsibilities of each individual before assessing whether his approach can fit within the new structure.
He will also request an overview of Auchenhowie’s behind-the-scenes operations, given the significant changes in personnel in the four years since he left his management role at Villa Park.
Preliminary talks this week are not expected to cover key issues such as the makeup of a potential backroom staff or future transfer funds.
But they appear to be much more substantial than the fleeting discussions that took place over the summer before Rangers decided to make the ill-fated move for Russell Martin.
Ibrox bosses have compiled a shortlist of several potential candidates, but it is still too early to confirm whether Gerrard is the front-runner, given the guarantees he would require if he were to leave his life in Bahrain and given that his family continues to live in Bahrain after taking over as manager of Saudi Arabia’s Al Etifaq.
There are also tax hurdles to overcome, but Rangers supporters have already made it clear at the board meeting that the man who led the team to an unbeaten league title just four years ago is the overwhelming first choice to clean up the mess left by Martin.
