Steven Gerrard to Rangers return may already have answer as Dave King reunion swirl follows sizzling Saudi start

-Credit: (Image: SNS Group)
-Credit: (Image: SNS Group)


It's all change at the top of Rangers with Dave King offering to step in as chairman once again - which has only added fuel to swirls over a potential return for Steven Gerrard.

The former Ibrox supremo has declared he is the man to help steady the ship in Govan following John Bennett’s shock resignation - and with doubts over boss Philippe Clement following a shaky start to the season some punters reckon that Liverpool icon Gerrard could be tempted to leave the Saudi Pro League for another crack at the Scottish Premiership. The Al-Ettifaq boss received a namecheck in the businessman's pitch to fill the top job at Ibrox - and that should come as little surprise to Rangers' diehards.

King helped put down the foundations upon which Gerrard built his 2021 title-winning season - and the former England international insisted that it was the South African who gave him the confidence to take his first steps into management back in Govan. Revealing a friendship away from football with King, Gerrard said in 2019: "When we first met, I could see his passion for the club and his determination to get it back to a respectable place, where the fans could be proud of the team again.

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"We shared that vision. I got to know him really well in that first meeting and the relationship has built from there. Whenever he is in Scotland we always get together to have dinner."

Gerrard left the Light Blues for his first chance in English Premier League management in 2021 at Aston Villa - but after an ill-fated 11 months in Birmingham he relaunched his career in the dugout in the Middle East. A disappointing first season saw big-spending Ettifaq end the season in sixth - but things have been very different this time around.

Steven Gerrard of Al Ettifaq
Steven Gerrard of Al Ettifaq -Credit:Getty Images

The club boast three wins from three - the first time the club has won their opening trio of games in over a decade - and sit at the summit alongside big-hitters Al-Ittihad and defending champions Al-Hilal. After the 2-1 victory over Al-Fateh, Gerrard appeared to be in no rush to leave Saudi declaring: "The match was excellent against a strong team. We controlled the ball greatly, and we remained cohesive despite the equaliser. This has been a strong start we are looking up this season."

And although the form of his side may tempt a potentially King-led Rangers to move for Gerrard, the Liverpool legend appeared to rule out a departure any time soon. He told The Telegraph he intends to see out his deal - which currently runs until 2027. He said: “When I sign up to something I am loyal. I want to see it out. I would like to continue to build on the work that has been done on and off the pitch so far.

"The league is going to continue to grow and I am in it, I am inside it. Now, I know what you are thinking – is it going to help me get back to where I eventually dream of getting back to? That’s for other people to decide.

“People have a perception of Saudi and this league and a lot of opinions on it, which they are allowed to have. But my advice is – don’t guess at that opinion, come and see it for yourself. I have had a really positive, enjoyable experience so far. It has been really challenging professionally – on and off the pitch.

“But I am enjoying my life. I want to give it the best shot I can give. I want to be loyal back to the people who have been loyal to me and I want to make a difference here in a positive way."

While the door appears to be temporarily closed on an Ettifaq exit, Rangers fans who hope to see the former boss back in the Ibrox dugout will note that Gerrard made his move to Villa Park midway through his Light Blues' deal. And he signed off the interview in May insisting he WILL coach outside of the Pro League in the future.

He said at the time: “I am still ambitious and hungry to be the best I can in my coaching career. So, will I coach elsewhere after this? Yes, I will. I am young. I have had success. I have had a knock. I am in the process of trying to recover from that while being in an environment where I can do a good job.”