Rangers return & Liverpool boss of the future? Steven Gerrard’s plans assessed by former Reds striker after coaching struggles at Aston Villa & in Saudi Pro League

The Reds legend saw an emotional return to Anfield talked up after leading Rangers to Scottish Premiership title glory in 2020-21. Even Jurgen Klopp was happy to back the claims of his former captain to the most prominent of Premier League posts.

Things have not played out as planned since then, with Gerrard finding the going tough at Aston Villa and in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ettifaq. A managerial vacancy has, however, opened up again at Ibrox and there is talk of the modern day great returning to Glasgow.

Quizzed on whether that would be a wise move or a professional gamble, former Liverpool striker Aldridge – speaking in association with Betano – told GOAL: “It depends on what Stevie thinks the future has in store for him. We have seen a lot of managers go back to clubs – Howard Kendall in particular with Everton and did really well second time around. Others have gone back and it’s worked.

“Would it be a bad thing? You don’t really know what Stevie’s intentions are and what his aims are, his ambitions now. He’s very gifted, he’s very clever regarding football. In management, he did well at Rangers, really well. It’s gone on a bit of a slant. I don’t know how it works out there [Saudi] but it can only help with the learning process. It’s what Stevie wants. I’m sure there will be offers on the table for him.

“Don’t forget with Aston Villa, it went a bit sour at the end but he brought some good players in and developed a good squad. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the manager [Unai Emery] has taken over and sometimes a change, a different voice in the dressing room gives them life and the next minute they go. They are where they are now because Stevie had that influence on them. He laid the foundations for the current manager to take them forward.”

Gerrard is not the only ex-England captain to find the going tough in coaching circles of late, with Wayne Rooney flopping in the Championship with Birmingham and Plymouth. Asked if those struggles come as a surprise, given the vast experience that two Merseyside natives possess from their playing days, Aldridge added: “Wayne is slightly different. You can’t really put him in the same category as Stevie, in my opinion, because he has done it to a lesser extent. Whether he goes forward and keeps on, it’s not been standout in all honesty.

“Stevie with Rangers, he did well. At Villa, he set them on the road. He has gone on a different tangent to the unknown. That will help him with his management insight for the years ahead, if that’s what he wants. He might come home and fancy going on the telly. We have to wait and see what happens. It can wear you down, it takes a toll on you.”

If Gerrard does persevere with management, then his ultimate goal will be to one day earn the right to take charge of Liverpool. Pressed on whether that dream is still alive, Aldridge said: “Yeah. It’s what steps Stevie takes to get into that position.

“Next step is going to be pivotal for him. I think he’ll come back into the country, but maybe Europe. What he has learned he will take to a more competitive league, with better players and better football, and then all of sudden it can all come together and explode. It could work and happen for him.”

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Gerrard walked away from a difficult role in the Middle East citing personal reasons, with a welcome break having been enjoyed from the stresses of coaching. The 44-year-old does, however, still have plenty left in the tank and ambitious targets that he intends to chase down.