With Steven Gerrard into his fourth year as Rangers manager, and now, the longest serving in the Scottish Premiership, there comes a point when we will have to start succession planning, although hopefully that won’t be any time soon.
On paper, the chance to retain the title, win a domestic cup – or two – and play in the Champions League with a squad he has built from scratch, should be enough to keep him at Ibrox, however, he won’t be around forever, coincidentally, his contract expiring on the same day as Jurgen Klopp’s at Liverpool.
It seems like the natural destination for a club legend and as long as he is being linked with above to Anfield I’ll be happy because it should mean that he is still doing a good job for us and winning trophies.
Hypothetical question:
Gerrard leaves Rangers tomorrow, who do you want in as manager? Realistic targets only please lol.— Jamie (@clubdeckloyal86) September 28, 2021
The question of “who next” is an intruiging one though and one that a Rangers fan asked on Twitter, prompting a fascinating thread:
Giovanni Van Bronckhost, Dominic Tedesco, Christian Ilzer, or Pitso Mosimane.
— Patrick Caskie (@patrickcaskie) September 28, 2021
Beale ideally
— Rangers Bantz (@RangersBanter17) September 28, 2021
Michael Beale although I’d doubt Gerrard would go anywhere if Beale didn’t go with him. I would like to see how Kev Thompson develops in management now and see if he can becomes a candidate later on
— Man utd rangers (@rangersmanutd) September 28, 2021
Callum Davidson and Kevin Thomson
— Gov’nor Walker 💙✋🗡🛡🇬🇧 (@nor_gov) September 28, 2021
McAllister.
The last Liverpool legend and captain to take his first managerial role at Rangers, then leave suddenly to return to Liverpool (Gerrards likely destination) left behind his assistant…….that turned out no bad 😬
— Kev Wil55on (@k_wilson79) September 28, 2021
Think Kevin Thomson is a future gers manager. Save this tweet
— Seventy Quid (@SeventyoneQuid) September 28, 2021
Van Bronkhorst, Big Dunc also wonder if someone like Lampard could be tempted to Rangers.
— Jack Kerr (@JackKer06453188) September 28, 2021
Some interesting names, personally, I think that the model we have in place just now is one that should be replicated. The manager should be a well respected figure head who is supported by specialists in their roles, an elite tactical coach, set-piece coach, fitness coach etc, with an assistant manager that offers an experienced ear to the players.
Giovanni van Bronkhorst would be an interesting choice but as we’ve seen with Ross Wilson’s work at Southampton, Gerrard’s replacement must fit the ethos and philosophy of the club because the players have been bought for that purpose, ripping up a squad and rebuilding it with every manager is unsustainable and expensive, as we’ve already found to our cost.