Is Steve Gerrard Destined To Return To Anfield?
The Full Scottish with Brian P. Dunleavy
Rangers assistant coach Gary McAllister recently predicted an eventual return to Liverpool for Ibrox manager and former Anfield legend Steven Gerrard.
In doing so, he essentially portrayed the Govan club as a stepping stone.
“It probably makes a wee bit of sense,” the Scot and former Liverpool player and coach told the press. “But when that’s going to happen (I don’t know).”
Apparently, current Reds manager Jurgen Klopp agrees. In comments made following his being named Best FIFA men’s coach earlier this week, the German told Four Four Two that he thinks Gerrard would be his logical successor.
“If Liverpool were to sack me tomorrow, then maybe Kenny (Dalglish) would be the first choice to replace me, but they would probably bring Stevie down from Glasgow,” said the Champions’ League-winning manager. “If you ask who should follow me, I’d say Stevie. I help him whenever I can.”
The question is probably moot, of course, given that Klopp seems firmly entrenched at Anfield—although you never know in football. As of this writing, his side are holders of Europe’s highest club honor and sit atop the EPL table. They are also undefeated in their last 11 league matches, dating back to last season.
In short, he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
And while Gerrard is an obvious choice from a sentimental perspective—Dalglish is no slouch in that department either—it might be a bit premature from a footballing one. Yes, Gerrard made more than 500 appearances as a player for Liverpool, winning eight trophies and eventually captaining the side he supported as a boy, but his track record in Scotland, at least to date, has been mixed.
Since taking the Rangers managerial job in the summer of 2018—despite having no first-team managerial experience anywhere—Gerrard has without a doubt improved the side. They finished last season with 78 points, up from 70 the season before, and were runners-up after sitting third in 2017-18.
Under Gerrard’s leadership, ’Gers went unbeaten in the first 12 domestic matches of 2018-19, and defeated Celtic—2-0 on December 29th—for the first time since 2012. They have also qualified for the Europa League group stages each of the past two seasons.
However, Gerrard has also yet to secure any silverware as a bench boss—although that could change this season. In fact, odds are it probably will. Celtic have won all three domestic trophies—the Premiership and the Scottish and League cups—in each of the past three seasons. You could argue the Hoops are due to slip up at some point.
Still, until they do—and assuming they actually do—it’s hard to envision even the most nostalgic Liverpool supporter viewing Gerrard as ready to manage under the bright lights of Anfield, for one of England’s, and Europe’s, biggest clubs. And before you say it, this is not about Scotland being some sort of footballing backwater, or the SPL being a “Sunday pub league.”
Even in appointing Brendan Rodgers as gaffer prior to the 2012-13 season, Liverpool were taking a bit of a risk—according to some pundits anyway. But the Irishman had led Swansea City through the Championship play-offs and into the top flight prior to the move. And, the Swans finished 11th in the EPL under Rodgers’ stewardship in 2011-12.
So, he had a track record of success—albeit at a much smaller club—before taking charge at Anfield.
Gerrard still has the time to pad his resume, of course. And he also has plenty of opportunity. His side sit three points behind their bitter rivals in the table and, as of this writing, still have a chance to score at least two domestic trophies and advance in the Europa League this season.
But until he, and his side, actually win something, any talk of ambition or upward mobility seems premature.
“I think it’s a huge compliment but I can assure you that Steven is absolutely fully focused (on Rangers) and trying to win something here,” McAllister told the press, in response to questions on Klopp’s comments.
As he should be. And better be.