Steven Gerrard told shock return to former club as manager could 'absolutely' happen as Liverpool legend is tipped by Rangers great to 'go back in' after Saudi Pro League flop at Al-Ettifaq

The former England captain finds himself back out of work after seeing an 18-month stint at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq brought to a close. Gerrard won just 23 of his 59 games as boss in the Middle East, having previously lasted just 40 matches in charge of Aston Villa.

He did, however, deliver Scottish Premiership title glory during three years at Rangers and is still held in high regard by those at Ibrox. Another change in the dugout there could see Gerrard come back into the equation.

Gers legend McCoist, speaking in association with talkSPORT BET, told GOAL when asked if he could see Gerrard taking in a second stint on the blue half of Glasgow: “Absolutely I could, yeah. I have got to say, Philippe Clement, in recent weeks, the results have taken a serious upturn – which is great. I think they have only been beaten once in 10 or 11, and that was down at Old Trafford. There had to be an improvement in results and performances, and there has been.

“I don’t see any changes at the top of Rangers in the immediate future. But because of Steven’s success in winning the league at the club, it would be a possibility. He is obviously very well thought of after winning not just a title, but a very important title.”

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Gerrard was being billed as a Liverpool manager of the future as his stock soared at Rangers, but is now battling to salvage his reputation. Asked if he has been left surprised by those struggles, McCoist added: “I am, to be honest. Obviously things didn’t really work out at Villa. Overall, Unai Emery has done a remarkable job. I am a little bit surprised. He’ll keep going, Steven, he’ll go somewhere else. I don’t see him, because of this disappointment, saying ‘that’s it, I’ve had enough’. I think he’ll take time to take stock, have a look at where he is, spend a bit of time with his family, and then find something else. I don’t think there will be a shortage of clubs willing to take him on and I think he will get back into it.

“I am little bit surprised. I don’t know enough about the Saudi league. I love my football and follow who is doing well, but I don’t watch enough of it. I’d be lying if I said I have a great degree of knowledge about the Saudi league, but I think it’s safe to say he would have hoped to do better with the team than they have achieved. I still think he’ll go back in somewhere.”

Gerrard is already being linked with various posts around the world, with the 44-year-old seemingly having enough credit in the bank – from playing and coaching endeavours – to make him an appealing prospect for plenty of ambitious ownership teams.