Rio Ferdinand backs Steven Gerrard for Rangers return

Rio Ferdinand has tipped his former England teammate Steven Gerrard to return to Rangers for a second spell as manager.

Gerrard left Ibrox for Aston Villa in 2021 after delivering the Scottish Premiership title in 2020-21.

The former Liverpool captain spent 11 months with Villa before a spell at Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq.

Rangers are in the market for a new manager after Russell Martin was sacked on Sunday after just 123 days in charge.

Gerrard has been out of work since leaving Al-Ettifaq in January, and speaking on the ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’ podcast, he revealed he had “a bit of unfinished business” in management.

The interview was conducted before Martin’s dismissal, but Ferdinand believes Gerrard would be open to re-joining the Glasgow club, four years on from his departure.

“I have to say when I interviewed him, he left me in no uncertain terms that he wants to be a manager and he’s got full confidence in doing that,” Ferdinand told talkSPORT.

“He’s itching to get back in now. He never said this to me, but I personally think just the energy that I felt in that room, that if Rangers came calling he’d go or at least have that conversation.

“What I felt, if I was an owner of a football club and Steven Gerrard was sat in front of me and I felt that energy in the room when I was interviewing him, he’s getting the job.

“Forget what’s gone on before, but also his time before at Rangers, he did great there. I’ve never had so many Rangers fans flood the comments of my social media or the podcast.

“They’re all desperate for him to go up and at least have the conversation, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Steven Gerrard is managing again very soon and Rangers would be probably one of my big bets.”

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