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Steven Gerrard has been at the center of conversation after Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin on Sunday, while the former manager is set to talk about a possible return with the club's leadership.

The decision-makers at Rangers have stated that a "comprehensive, thoughtful hiring process" is now underway.

Additional names are set to be reviewed, however if the former Anfield and Three Lions captain is open to a return spell at the club, is the job essentially his?

The mid-forties coach lately spoken about “remaining goals” in coaching and revealed he has started approaching prospective members for his coaching team.

In a latest audio discussion with the former defender, appearing to be recorded before Martin's brief tenure ended, Gerrard stated he desired “to be at a team that's going to challenge to win because I believe that fits me more”.

He added: “If the suitable offer arrives, the right club, the correct opportunity, and I've got my people set, which I will 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 manager at Anfield, Gerrard took on his maiden coaching role in the summer of 2018.

During three complete campaigns at Rangers, he secured only a single trophy – but it was a big one.

Following placements of nine and 13 points after Celtic in his initial pair of campaigns, Gerrard led Rangers to their maiden top-flight championship in a decade, which just happened to deny their Old Firm rivals an historic tenth consecutive title.

And he achieved it in style, with his team unbeaten in the process.

Rangers triumphed in all of their home games, scored 92 goals and allowed a mere 13.

The downside was that it came against a backdrop of Covid and empty stadiums.

It continues to be Rangers' only title success since the 2010-11 season.

How Did Gerrard's Old Firm Record Perform?

In sharp difference to Martin's unhappy spell, Gerrard hit the ground running at Rangers, remaining 12 games unbeaten until his first visit to Celtic Park.

In his debut season the derby honours were shared, each side securing two home victories, with Rangers having previously defeated Celtic in 2012.

A pair of defeats to Celtic occurred in the next shortened season, followed by Rangers securing a victory in the east end of Glasgow for the initial occasion since 2010.

After that, Gerrard stayed unbeaten in derbies, claiming five additional and drawing once.

Rangers came through four rounds of qualifying to enter the group stage of the Europa League in Gerrard's first season.

In 2019-20, they progressed to the knockout rounds of the same competition, losing out to the German side in the round of 16, with their run ending at the identical round the following season.

Why Did Gerrard Leave Rangers?

Aston Villa made an approach in November 2021, forking out £4.5m in compensation.

He left Rangers with a lead ahead of Celtic at the top of the standings – but their city rivals would claw that back to prevail by the identical gap.

The lure of the English top flight is powerful and it could have been viewed as the next logical step on a dream comeback to Liverpool at a point when his coaching reputation 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 then Rangers football executive Ross Wilson.

“We have had a goal to advance the club, to update our facilities and to make the club win again.”

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

Gerrard did not last a full season at Aston Villa.

Up and down results yielded a 14th-place position at the conclusion of season 2021-22 before a three-goal defeat at Fulham left them in 17th in autumn 2022 when he was sacked.

During 2022, he won just eight of his 31 games, losing 15.

He transferred to Saudi Arabia in July 2023 when he assumed control at the Saudi club.

His most recent role continued for 18 months and he moved on with the club sitting in 12th in the Saudi league, only five points clear of the relegation zone.

“Overall, I have learned a lot, and it's been a beneficial journey for me and for my family,” he remarked in late January. “But soccer is uncertain, and at times things don't go the way we want.”

Those post-Ibrox exploits could cause some pause for thought and the man himself might harbor doubts over taking over a underperforming team, but Gerrard probably has the character to handle such a high-profile post.

He is the sole Rangers manager to have won the league trophy since the legendary Walter Smith. That achievement could be difficult to overlook for an pressured Ibrox board.