Steven Gerrard's message to Rangers fans after turning down manager job

Steven Gerrard has thanked Rangers fans for their support despite rejecting an emotional return to Ibrox. The former Liverpool man was the club’s first-choice to replace Russell Martin.

Gerrard had flown north of the border to hold talks with Rangers, and a deal was thought to be close between the two parties. But the ex-England star performed a late U-turn, citing the main reason for his change of mind being that he thought it was not quite the right time to return.

Gerrard remains open to a move back to the club at some point but felt that now was slightly too early. Nevertheless, he has sent a message to supporters after his late change of mind.

According to Sky Sports, Gerrard thanked Rangers fans for their support and wished the club luck for the remainder of the season. The Scottish giants have endured a woeful start to the 2025/26 campaign.

They won just one of their opening seven league games of the campaign under former boss Martin, while their fortunes in Europe haven’t been much better. Rangers were thumped by Club Brugge in the Champions League playoffs and have lost both of their opening games in the Europa League.

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Despite a return to Rangers now being off the cards, Gerrard has made it clear that he is keen to be back in the dugout sooner rather than later. “I’d love another go at some point,” he told Rio Ferdinand. “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.”

Gerrard added: “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. But I want a certain type of challenge.

Who should be the next Rangers manager? Share your thoughts in the comments below

“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. I think certain jobs and certain clubs would suit my style and the way I like to go about it.”

Away from Gerrard, Rangers have been forced to look elsewhere for their next manager. Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl is now reportedly the frontrunner having been out of work since leaving Hillsborough earlier this year.

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