Copyright birminghammail
Steven Gerrard has admitted that everything "had to be perfect" for him to take up tenure with Rangers again, after he turned down a second managerial role with the club. The former Aston Villa boss enjoyed a solid three-year run with the Scottish giants in 2018, lifting the league title at Ibrox in 2020/21 - although he left shortly after. In the years since, he has enjoyed head coaching terms with Villa and Al-Ettifaq, although he has been out of a job since he left the latter by mutual consent in January. However, in the wake of Russell Martin's sacking by Rangers earlier this month, Gerrard found himself linked with a return to Glasgow. As per Sky Sports News, the timing just wasn't right for the 45-year-old, with Danny Rohl ultimately being named as the new Rangers manager. And now, Gerrard has clarified why he decided not to make a grand return to the Scottish Premiership. Speaking to TNT Sports on Saturday evening, he said: "In terms of Rangers, very close. I had some really positive and interesting talks with the owners. It felt a bit rushed to me because I had my family in Bahrain at the time. "I had a lot to think about and a short space of time to give a decision. There was a few things that I was uncertain about. And if I'm going to take a challenge that big and that important, I've got that affection and that connection with Rangers. "For me to take that on again, it had to be perfect and I had to be 100 per cent ready. Unfortunately I wasn't due to the timing, so I stepped aside and I wish them all the best. They're got a fantastic manager now. I'll watch as a fan from afar and I wish them all the best, certainly tomorrow in the Old Firm game." When asked if it had anything to do with the structure of the club at present or if it was just the timing, Gerrard added: "No, the timing wasn't right from a family point of view. But of course, you have to do your due diligence in certain things and if things are not perfect, as well, I have to analyse is it right for me? "The pressure and the responsibility is on your shoulders, it's such a massive challenge and a massive club. My heart was there, and it always will be with Rangers, but I've also got to look at the football side of it. "Is it right for me? Is the timing right? And are things perfect for me to be the best version of myself in that job? Unfortunately, the timing, that didn't feel right to me. "And listen, I've got that much respect for Rangers, the supporters and the owners, and everything connected to the club, I wouldn't go in there if I was 80, 90 per cent ready. But hopefully one day, I'll be more ready and more prepared for it and that chance might come again. "If it doesn't, I wish the club all the very best moving forward. But my heart was 100 per cent there because I've got that connection with the club."
