Steven Gerrard ‘favourite’ to be the next Rangers manager
Steven Gerrard is now the leading candidate for the Rangers managerial role over other candidates, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed Gerrard is now the “favourite” ahead of other options such as Marco Rose to be appointed as Rangers’ new head coach.
Gerrard guided Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title during his first stint in charge, ending Celtic’s dominance and delivering the club’s first league title in a decade. He departed in 2021 to take the Aston Villa job and is currently out of work after parting ways with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq in January.
Former Rangers defender Alan Hutton told Football Insider that a return for Gerrard would be an exciting move for Rangers, highlighting that the Liverpool legend “knows how to get it done” at Ibrox after his successful first spell.
Football Insider revealed back in February that Gerrard remains the “dream appointment” for Rangers as they continue to look to replace Philippe Clement following a disappointing campaign.
Prospective new owners 49ers Enterprises are expected to play a key role in the decision-making process once their takeover is completed and it now appears that Gerrard is firmly at the top of their shortlist.
Sean Dyche and Barry Ferguson in contention for Rangers job amid Gerrard links
The Ibrox managerial role is proving to be a highly contested one, with several strong candidates under consideration.
Barry Ferguson has impressed as interim boss at Rangers since stepping in for Clement in February and has drawn praise for his impact, particularly with performances in Europe, and is one of the options to be under consideration by the board.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed that new sporting director Kevin Thelwell would be open to appointing Sean Dyche, having previously worked with him at Everton. Dyche’s availability and experience make him another viable option, especially with Rangers seeking a strong and steady hand.
While Gerrard remains the last manager to guide Rangers to a Premiership title, his career post-Ibrox has been less convincing, with spells at Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq ending prematurely. This could be a sticking point for some within the club hierarchy as they weigh up a potential return.
| Club | Matchs | Points per match |
| Al-Ettifaq | 55 | 1.33 |
| Aston Villa | 40 | 1.18 |
| Rangers | 192 | 2.15 |
Rangers could plan Neraysho Kasanwirjo move amid 49ers Enterprises takeover
As the 49ers Enterprises takeover nears completion, Rangers are preparing to make their first major move in the transfer market.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo is a strong candidate to become the Rangers first permanent signing under the new ownership — provided he impresses in the remaining games of the season.
The 23-year-old defender has only recently returned from a serious knee injury that kept him out for seven months. Despite just 12 appearances, he quickly became a fan favourite at Ibrox.
With Leon Balogun, 36, and club captain James Tavernier, 33, both nearing the latter stages of their careers, a move for a younger option like Kasanwirjo could signal a fresh direction and renewed ambition under the incoming regime.