Steven Gerrard out of running to be next Rangers manager

Steven Gerrard is out of the running to be the next Rangers manager.

STV News understands the Liverpool legend will not be returning for a second spell in the Ibrox dugout.

Gerrard joined Rangers in 2018 and led them to the Scottish Premiership title in 2021, before leaving Glasgow for Aston Villa in November that year.

The 44-year-old most recently coached Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia and was on a shortlist to replace Philippe Clement who was sacked in February.

Real Madrid assistant coach Davide Ancelotti is under consideration for the vacant post, while former Southampton boss Russell Martin – who played for Rangers – has also been linked.

STV understands any appointment will need to be ratified by the board, while the club’s potential new owners also have an input into who becomes the next Rangers boss.

A preferred candidate has yet to be put to the board, but a shortlist has been compiled.

Since Gerrard left Ibrox less than four years ago, Rangers have had three permanent managers in Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale, and Philippe Clement.

Clement was replaced by Barry Ferguson who took charge of the team until the end of the season.

Ferguson recorded impressive wins over Celtic and Fenerbahce, to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League, but also suffered a string of disappointing results and ultimately failed to cut the gap at the top of the Premiership.

Rangers confirmed earlier this month that he, along with his coaching staff of Allan McGregor, Billy Dodds, and Neil McCann, had left the club.