Rangers face setback in bid to appoint manager due to family factor | OneFootball

Gerrard’s Rangers Return in Doubt as Family Factor Clouds Managerial Decision

Family approval could shape Gerrard’s Ibrox future

What seemed inevitable just days ago now carries a tone of uncertainty. Steven Gerrard, long tipped for a dramatic return to Rangers, is reportedly locked in negotiations of a more personal nature, with his wife, Alex, rather than the Rangers boardroom.

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According to the Daily Record, the Liverpool icon had moved into pole position to replace Philippe Clement, with bookmakers suspending bets on his return. Behind the scenes, Gerrard is understood to have even discussed backroom appointments, including Steven Davis and Jordan Henderson, with whom he shares both professional and personal bonds.

Photo: IMAGO

But the story has shifted from tactics and team sheets to lifestyle and logistics. Gerrard’s family have acclimatised to a new life in Bahrain, where they reside in a luxury £10,000-a-month property. Convincing them to trade the Gulf for Govan appears to be the final hurdle – and it is far from a small one.

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With Rangers edging closer to an American-led ownership overhaul, the club is eager for clarity. Gerrard’s potential return is more than symbolic. It would be the first managerial decision under a new footballing regime, fronted by sporting director Kevin Thelwell and supported by 49ers executive Gretar Steinsson.

It’s believed Gerrard has asked for more time to secure family support before giving the club a definitive answer. However, Rangers are not expected to wait indefinitely, especially with pre-season planning already behind schedule.

Photo IMAGO

Rangers’ hierarchy remain tight-lipped, simply stating that “the process continues” following Barry Ferguson’s interim departure. But those close to negotiations acknowledge the clock is ticking.

Rebuilding Rangers or enjoying Dubai?

The wider question isn’t just whether Gerrard returns, but what version of Gerrard Rangers might receive. Is it the title-winning, high-energy coach who brought silverware back to Ibrox in 2021? Or a manager with one eye on future prospects in Dubai or the United Arab Emirates?

There is no doubting the emotional pull. Gerrard’s legacy in Glasgow remains intact and his unfinished business at Ibrox is a compelling narrative. But this time, it is not just Rangers he needs to convince. It is his own household.

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For Rangers supporters, this situation will leave a bitter taste. Not because Steven Gerrard wouldn’t be welcomed back – he absolutely would – but because it seems as though they’re not the priority.

They’ve been here before, seeing managers caught between personal life and professional ambition. But when the club is searching for direction, and supporters are desperate for clarity, it’s hard to accept that their future might hinge on whether someone’s family prefers Glasgow or Dubai.

Gerrard gave Rangers the title. He stopped Celtic’s charge to ten-in-a-row and brought pride back to Ibrox. But football has moved on, and so have Rangers. If his heart is in the Gulf and not in Govan, then perhaps they need to ask whether they’re chasing the past instead of building for the future.

What’s most frustrating is the lack of urgency. The club is in the middle of ownership transition, their rivals are strengthening, and yet they’re still waiting for an answer that should have come days ago. If Gerrard really wants the job, they should know by now.

He’s a legend, no doubt. But legends alone don’t win leagues. Focus, commitment and presence do. If that’s in short supply, it may be time to look elsewhere.