Rangers next manager: Ex-Aston Villa boss now favourite after Ibrox shock
Rangers are on the lookout for a new permanent manager following the sacking of Philippe Clement and a former Aston Villa boss is in the frame to take over at Ibrox
The Gers currently have Barry Ferguson in the dugout as an interim head coach after the Belgian was axed in February.
This didn’t come as a surprise given the ex-Monaco boss had left his side miles behind Old Firm rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table.
With a new manager required at Ibrox in the coming months, the Light Blues could seek out the services of a manager who has recently been sacked at Villa Park.
Rangers could hire Steven Gerrard as manager
It is safe to say that the Villans are loving life under Unai Emery and have been ever since he came through the doors in November 2022.
There have been so many positives about his spell in charge with Champions League football being the obvious highlight from an excellent stint in B6.
The Spaniard replaced Gerrard as manager after what had been a poor and frustrating spell in charge, which culminated in a heavy defeat away to Fulham.
The decision to sack the former England international came less than a year after Villa swooped in to take him from Rangers.
His hiring in the West Midlands didn’t go down well in Glasgow and it is safe to say that it didn’t truly benefit any party.
There is now a chance that the 44-year-old could be in line to make a dramatic return to Ibrox after being sacked by Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ettifaq.
This has seen the Liverpool legend named as favourite to take over as Gers manager with Unibet offering odds of 7/1 alongside Russell Martin [Odds Checker, 2 March].
Aston Villa fans have little love for Gerrard
There is very little positive to say about the Englishman and his stint as manager at Villa Park.
Gerrard decided on a system with three central midfielders, two number tens and one striker but that never truly got the best out of anybody.
Ollie Watkins struggled for form but has shone under Emery, as can be said for many key players at Bodymoor Heath.
This lack of tactical nous paired with his frustrating interviews where he would tell supporters that other sides should be coming to B6 and “wiping the floor” with his side, resulted in a toxic atmosphere that was difficult to return from.
| Result | Aston Villa under Steven Gerrard |
| Win | 13 |
| Draw | 8 |
| Loss | 19 |
Eventually, Nassef Sawiris and Co. had enough and pulled the sack trigger much to the delight of the Villa faithful.
Eventually Emery came in and has become a well-loved figure in the West Midlands, leaving no one missing Gerrard, there is no doubt about that.