Steven Gerrard’s Reason for Snubbing Rangers Return Revealed

Steven Gerrard has reportedly rejected a return to Rangers after conversations with from his former club.

A shambolic start to the 2025/26 saw Russell Martin given the boot after just 17 games in charge, with Rangers languishing in eighth position in the Scottish Premier League.

The former Southampton and Swansea boss, who had to have a police escort after his final game, became the shortest-serving manager in Rangers' history and the club have moved quickly to find a suitable replacement.

Talks with Gerrard ensued over a second stint at Ibrox Stadium, where he won Rangers' only Scottish league title in 14 years - doing so without tasting defeat in 2020/2021.

He left to take the Aston Villa job in November 2021 and lasted just short of a year before embarking on his most recent managerial gig with Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq.

But despite positive discussions with Rangers - to the point where an agreement was close - journalist Ben Jacobs claims Gerrard has withdrawn from the race as he believes "the timing wasn’t quite right to return".

Gerrard has been out of work since January. Image Getty

Gerrard's comments on return to management

The former Liverpool and England captain has been out of work since January and in an interview with Rio Ferdinand Presents, explained his eagerness to return to management.

However, Gerrard, who still lives in Bahrain, has also stressed that he is being selective with offers that arrive instead of jumping at the first opportunity.

He has enjoyed spending time with family - as well as attending major sports events and playing in charity games.

“I’d love another go at some point," Gerrard said on the podcast.

"I want to change a few things and improve a few things and come back fresh. With a few different people around myself.

"I’d love another couple of challenges doing this. And that’s what I’m working on in the background at the moment.

“A few different ideas, a few different people around me. Now I’m enjoying family time and doing a lot of things that I haven’t been able to do.

“But there’s a part of me that still feels that there’s a bit of unfinished business in terms of wanting to go in and face another couple of exciting challenges.

“If in an ideal world they come available, I’ll jump at them.

“If they don’t, I won’t go back in. I want to be at a team that’s going to compete to win because I think that suits me better."

Gerrard's rejection leaves Rangers looking elsewhere in their hunt for a new manager, with Danny Rohl the clear favourite for the job following an interview on Friday.

German Rohl was most recently the manager of Sheffield Wednesday, leaving the Owls amid major financial difficulties.