Steven Gerrard has reportedly decided not to pursue the managerial position at Rangers, opting instead to stay with his family in the Middle East. The 44-year-old Liverpool icon was widely speculated to be on the verge of returning to Ibrox, nearly four years after departing for Premier League side Aston Villa.
A major accomplishment in his managerial career, Steven Gerrard won Rangers’ first Scottish Premiership title since the club’s 2012 liquidation during his fruitful three-year stay at Glasgow.
Following the dismissal of Philippe Clement earlier this year, Steven Gerrard was considered a frontrunner for the role. However, former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson was appointed as interim manager, with the club planning to reassess their options at the end of the season after Celtic’s title victory.
As the season wraps up, discussions around Gerrard’s potential return continue. Former Rangers chairman Dave King openly endorsed him for the job over candidates like Davide Ancelotti, son of Carlo, and Russell Martin, who was let go by Southampton in December.
Despite the ongoing talks, it seems Steven Gerrard has different intentions. According to The Record (via the Mirror), the ex-Liverpool captain has had difficulty convincing his wife, Alex, to leave their upscale home in Bahrain. Gerrard’s family moved to the Middle East in 2023 when he took on a managerial role at Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq. He resigned in January and recently had initial talks with Rangers’ leadership but sought more time to think about returning to the UK.
Now, reports suggest that the couple has decided to remain in Bahrain for at least another year. Their choice is reportedly not influenced by tax factors, as Steven Gerrard is exempt from a substantial HMRC fine regarding the earnings from his time in the Saudi Pro League.
In related news, Steven Gerrard is set to take on a new role this weekend, joining TNT Sports for their coverage of the Champions League final. He will contribute to the UK sports broadcaster’s presentation of the prestigious match between Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain in Munich, Germany.
