Ex-Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard named new Rangers manager

Share

Tweet

Share

Share

Email

Comments

Scottish Premier League side Rangers have announced the appointment of Steven Gerrard as their new manager on a four-year deal.

The 37-year-old becomes the club’s third full-time manager following Walter Smith’s exit in May 2011 and succeeds Pedro Caixinha who stepped down last October.

Rangers represents Gerrard’s first major foray into the world of senior management and he’s looking forward to getting started.

“I am honoured to become the next manager of Rangers. I have enormous respect for this football club, and its history and tradition,” Gerrard said (via the club’s official website).

“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.”

The aforementioned Caixinha lasted 227 days into the job and given Rangers’ current situation Gerrard faces an uphill struggle, but chairman Dave King believes they’ve got the right man.

“We are delighted to confirm today that Steven Gerrard will become the next manager of Rangers.

“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 ended an illustrious 16-year playing career in November 2016 and subsequently rejoined his boyhood club Liverpool in an academy coaching role.

Before joining Rangers he was linked with the Milton Keynes Dons jobs, but felt the offer came “too soon” for him, as well as turning down Oxford United to remain in charge of the Reds under-18s team.

His appointment will make the upcoming Old Firm fixtures even more intriguing, given he reunites with former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who is enjoying a successful period with arch-rivals Celtic.