Steven Gerrard Appointed As New Manager Of Rangers

Rangers have confirmed Steven Gerrard’s appointment as manager on a four-year contract.

After final talks between the Glasgow club’s chairman Dave King and the former Liverpool and England captain took place on Thursday, a deal was agreed to take Gerrard north of the border to begin his managerial career at the fallen giants, currently third in the Scottish Premiership table, and who were beaten 5-0 last Sunday at champions Celtic.

“I am honoured to become the next manager of Rangers,” Gerrard said in a club statement. “I have enormous respect for this football club, and its history and tradition. I can’t wait to start this new journey at Rangers as we look to build on the many successes that this club has achieved.”

King said: “From the very beginning, talks have been extremely positive and we believe that Steven is the right man to drive Rangers forward. He was extremely impressive throughout our negotiations and we are convinced that he has the necessary knowledge and temperament to lead the club to the success we all desire. This a special day for our club, our fans and for Steven.”

Gerrard has stepped away from his role as an academy coach at Liverpool he has been fulfilling since the summer of 2017. After announcing in January 2015 he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2014-15 season, he then spent two seasons in Major League Soccer with Los Angeles Galaxy.

Gary McAllister, Gerrard’s one-time midfield partner with Liverpool, a former Coventry City and Leeds United manager, is expected to be appointed as his assistant, though Rangers’ statement said the new manager’s backroom staff would be confirmed in “due course”.

The Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers expressed his delight at the prospect of coming up against Gerrard next season. “I am sure he will be looking forward to his first job and like I say, I am happy that he now enters into my world of coaching and managing,” he said. “Obviously it’s his first job. He will have an idea in relation in how he wants to work.

“That level of professionalism all his career made him a great player so I am sure he will take all those attributes into management. But only over time will you see the identity of his teams, how he wants to work and play.”