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The former Liverpool captain has been at the center of conversation after Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, and the ex-coach will talk about a potential comeback with the team's owners.

The decision-makers at Rangers announced that a "thorough, considered recruitment process" is currently underway.

Additional names will be considered, but if ex Anfield and Three Lions captain is open to a return spell at Ibrox, is the job essentially his?

The 45-year-old manager lately spoken about “unfinished business” in coaching and revealed he has started contacting potential staff for his coaching team.

In a latest audio discussion with Rio Ferdinand, which seemed to be recorded before Martin's short tenure concluded, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a club that's set to challenge to win because I think that fits me better”.

He added: “If the suitable offer comes my way, the appropriate team, the correct opportunity, and I've got my people set, which I plan to have at a future date, I'll take that challenge on because it's in me.”

Performance at Rangers in His First Stint

After gaining knowledge as a academy coach at Anfield, Gerrard accepted his maiden coaching role in the summer of 2018.

During three complete seasons at Rangers, he secured only a single trophy – however it proved significant.

After finishing 13 and nine points after Celtic in his first two seasons, Gerrard led Rangers to their first premiership title in a decade, which coincidentally prevent their Glasgow rivals an historic 10-in-a-row win.

And he did it in style, with his team unbeaten throughout.

Rangers won all of their home games, netted 92 goals and allowed a only 13.

The drawback was that it occurred against a backdrop of Covid and fanless grounds.

It remains Rangers' only title success since the 2010-11 season.

How Did Gerrard's Old Firm Record Look?

In sharp difference to Martin's disappointing experience, Gerrard started strongly at Rangers, going 12 games unbeaten until his first visit to Celtic Park.

In his first campaign the derby results were even, each side securing two domestic wins, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.

Two losses to Celtic came in the following shortened season, followed by Rangers winning in the east end of Glasgow for the first time since 2010.

From then on, Gerrard stayed unbeaten in derbies, claiming five additional and drawing once.

Rangers came through four stages of qualifying to reach the main phase of the Europa League in Gerrard's debut season.

In 2019-20, they advanced to the knockout rounds of the identical tournament, losing out to the German side in the round of 16, with their run ending at the same stage the next year.

What Led Gerrard Leave Rangers?

Aston Villa came calling in November 2021, forking out £4.5m in compensation.

He departed Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the summit of the standings – however their local opponents would recover to win by the identical gap.

The attraction of the English top flight is powerful and it may have been viewed as the next logical step on a dream comeback to Anfield at a time when his managerial stock was high.

“Steven and his backroom staff have made sure that the team is clearly in a better place today than it was three-and-a-half years ago,” said at the time Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson.

“We have shared a desire to advance the club, to modernise our facilities and to make the club win again.”

How Did Gerrard's Record at Villa & Al-Ettifaq?

Gerrard did not last a year at Aston Villa.

Inconsistent results yielded a 14th-place position at the end of season 2021-22 before a three-goal defeat at Fulham placed them in 17th in October 2022 when he was dismissed.

Across 2022, he secured just eight of his 31 games, suffering defeat in 15.

He moved to the Middle East in summer 2023 when he assumed control at the Saudi club.

His latest job continued for a year and a half and he departed with the club sitting 12th in the Saudi Pro League, only five points clear of the relegation zone.

“In summary, I have gained valuable experience, and it's been a beneficial journey for me and for my family,” he remarked in the end of January. “But soccer is unpredictable, and at times events don't unfold the way we want.”

These post-Ibrox experiences could cause certain pause for thought and the man himself may have doubts over taking over a struggling squad, but Gerrard likely has the character to handle such a prominent post.

He is the sole Rangers manager to have lifted the league trophy since the legendary Walter Smith. That achievement could be hard to ignore for an pressured Rangers leadership.