From being an exceptional football player during his playing days, former Liverpool star man and current Rangers F.C. manager, Steven Gerrard in my opinion looks to be on course to becoming an excellent manager with his Scottish club, Rangers FC.
Even though I agree it may still be early days in Steven Gerrard’s managerial career, the signs depicting his understanding of the game as a club manager are looking somewhat good for the former England captain.
The Europa League qualifying stages have been in progress for some weeks now, and having scaled through the second-round qualifying stage against NK Osijek in a 2 – 1 aggregate win, Rangers FC had to face NK Maribor in the third-round qualifying stage.
Rangers vs NK Maribor – Europa League third-round qualifying (First leg)
Rangers have taken a firm grip in the third-round tie against NK Maribor with convincing 3 – 1 win at home. The match was Steven Gerrard’s 5th competitive game as manager, but the result would definitely satisfy the Ibrox fans who are hoping to see their club back in European competitions.
Rangers forward, Alfredo Morelos got off the mark after six minutes for Rangers with simple tap in. Morelos was highly energetic for Rangers upfront and just when the 22-year old Columbian thought he had got a second goal in the 39th minute, his effort who rightly ruled out for offside.
A minute after the offside call against Rangers, NK Maribor equalized via a superb volley from Mitja Viler in the 40th minute. Rangers didn’t cave in after the setback though. Five minutes after the restart, Rangers went ahead for the second time from the spot.
Once again it was courtesy of Alfredo Morelos who was a thorn for Maribor’s defence. His slick touch and turn elicited a foul from Sasa Ivkovic, from which James Tavernier converted to take Rangers 2 – 1 up.
There was still time for a late third goal for Rangers to seal an important win for Steven Gerrard and Rangers in the firs-leg encounter. The goal came off Lassana Coulibaly, who met a cross from Jamie Murphy to double Rangers’ lead in the 86th minute.
Despite Maribor’s first-half display which troubled Rangers on occasions, the Slovenian side left with a defeat that they would be hoping to overturn at home when they host Rangers in the second leg of the third-round qualifier.
Gerrard on the other hand would be hoping to work on his team concentration and improve on their second half display, in other to come away with a decent result from Slovenia, enough to see them progress to the next round of the Europa League qualifiers.
Steven Gerrard’s managerial stats
So far, the 38-year old manager has had a decent start to his managerial career. Gerrard has managed six games with his Rangers side since his appointment on June 1st 2018 as Rangers manager, following the sacking of Graeme Murty on May 1st 2018.
Of his six games in charge he has won 3 games and drawn 3. Apparently, that gives him a decent 50% win rate in his young (or if you may - kindergarten) managerial career.
The cool part of his stats is that 5 of his 6 games have been in competitive Europa league games. Now, one might say the oppositions aren't exactly the heavy weights in European football, but whether that matters or not, the fact is that he is on course to qualify Rangers for the Europa League.
* Rangers 2 – 0 KF Shkupi (Home) – 1st Round Qualifying
* KF Shkupi 0 – 0 Rangers (Away) – 1st Round Qualifying
* Rangers 1 – 1 NK Osijek (Home) – 2nd Round Qualifying
* Nk Osijek 0 – 1 Rangers (Away) – 2nd Round Qualifying
* Rangers 3 – 1 NK Maribor (Home) – 3rd Round Qualifying
I certainly believe it is not a bad start to a managerial career for the former England captain and Liverpool legend, given that fact that this is only his first real club appointment as a substantive manger.
Young managers who know their onions are obviously the rave of the moment, and having been given a chance by Rangers FC, I do see Steven Gerrard becoming a known force as a manager if his is able to navigate through this his first managerial appointment.
So, what do you think about Gerrard? Do you think Steven Gerrard can become as successful a manager as he was a player?
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