Man Utd Legend Emerges As Surprise Contender For Rangers Job After Steven Gerrard Snub

A number of high-profile managers are being linked with the vacant Rangers job after Steven Gerrard – the club's first choice to replace Russell Martin –  walked away from negotiations.

Earlier this month, former Southampton and Swansea boss Martin was sacked by Rangers after just 17 games in charge.

It has been a disastrous start to the 2025-26 campaign for the Gers, who currently sit eighth in the Scottish Premiership, although they are eager to turn their fortunes around with a big managerial appointment.

Gerrard was expected to take the job following his successful three-year stint between 2018 and 2021 that featured Rangers' first league title in ten years.

But despite positive discussions with those behind the scenes at Ibrox, the former Liverpool midfielder decided to withdraw from the race after a full agreement was almost reached.

"Gerrard has decided the timing wasn’t quite right to return and has now removed himself from the process," said journalist Ben Jacobs.

Rangers are now looking at other candidates, including former Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick, who last took charge of Championship side Middlesbrough.

Carrick initially impressed in his first role in management, guiding the Teesside club to the play-offs in 2022-23.

But after they missed out on a top-six finish in the past two campaigns, Boro decided to part ways with the 44-year-old in June. He was soon replaced by former Luton boss Rob Edwards.

It is understood that Carrick is on Rangers' shortlist which also includes former Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl, who is currently one of the front runners, according to Sky Sports.

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, who worked with Carrick during his time at Manchester United, is also named alongside former Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Michael Carrick is being linked with the vacant Rangers job. Image credit: Getty

Michael Carrick tipped to take Manchester United job if Ruben Amorim is sacked

Carrick is the "obvious" option to replace Ruben Amorim if the Portuguese head coach is dismissed at Old Trafford, according to Sir Alex Ferguson's former assistant, Rene Meulensteen.

Speaking to BetVictor, he said: "Obviously Michael Carrick still knows quite a few players that were there when he was there. So he's still got some good inside information. He obviously knows the club.

"He knows what's expected from the club. Well, you always get that and there's always names being thrown around. Jose Mourinho's out of the job as well [but is reportedly set to rejoin Benfica]. So that will be thrown around and there's all other managers as well.

"But the key is that you need to have a guy that obviously has got a clear idea but puts some kind of a structure in place that the players buy into and that you get a spark from the players. Because they're not bad players, there's plenty of good players there.

"I'm sure that if they would play in a system that suits them, they really play at the best. I think you could see a fantastic Manchester United. Maybe Michael could well be the guy."

He added: "It's not magic. It's common sense more than anything, that's it and Carrick has got plenty of that."