“There were a few things I was uncertain about”- Steven Gerrard breaks Rangers manager silence as he reveals the real reason why he walked away from a return

Steven Gerrard reveals why he turned down emotional Rangers return

Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has admitted his heart remains at Ibrox, but revealed that lingering doubts made him walk away from a sensational return to Glasgow.

The ex-Rangers boss, who famously ended Celtic’s dominance by guiding the club to the 2021 Premiership title, was in advanced talks with Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe about replacing Russell Martin. However, after several rounds of discussions, Gerrard ultimately decided the timing wasn’t right.

Rangers subsequently shifted their focus to Danny Rohl and Kevin Muscat, with Rohl emerging as the frontrunner after Muscat withdrew from contention.

Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Aston Villa on TNT Sports, Gerrard opened up about how close he came to accepting the offer.

“In terms of Rangers, it was very close,” Gerrard admitted. “I had some really positive and interesting talks with the owners. But it all felt a bit rushed — my family were in Bahrain at the time, and I had a lot to consider in a short space of time.

There were a few things I wasn’t completely certain about. When you take on a challenge as big and as important as Rangers — a club I care deeply about — it has to be perfect. I had to be 100 per cent ready, and unfortunately, I wasn’t. Because of the timing, I stepped aside.”

He added:

“I wish them nothing but success. They’ve got a fantastic manager now, and I’ll be watching from afar as a fan, wishing them all the best.”

Gerrard’s decision comes amid growing frustration among fans, who have voiced concerns about the club’s structure and called for changes involving Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell. Some supporters believe the current setup complicated the search for Martin’s replacement.

When asked if the internal structure influenced his choice, Gerrard explained that both family priorities and timing played major roles in his decision.

“The timing wasn’t right from a family point of view, but you also have to do your due diligence,” he said. “If everything isn’t perfect, you have to ask yourself if it’s the right move. Managing Rangers is a massive responsibility — the pressure is huge.

My heart will always be with Rangers, but I had to look at whether it was the right moment for me to be at my best. Unfortunately, it didn’t feel like it. I’ve got too much respect for the club and the owners to take it on if I’m only 80 or 90 per cent ready.

Hopefully, one day, I’ll be better prepared and that opportunity might come again. My heart was 100 per cent there — it always will be.”