Steven Gerrard knows a lot about loyalty, having spent almost his entire football life at a club: 17 years at Liverpool FC, that is genuine loyalty, and so Gerrard allowed himself to be swiped at Chelsea last week . Those responsible were sacked coach Lampard as coach, a longtime associate of Gerrard’s English national team: “Chelsea missed a great chance to show solidarity and support him when things went well “” Instead they left him. – But that’s how you know it from them, I’m not surprised, “Gerrard said.

Gerrard’s striking words were amazing because he is not really a big blower type. For him it was more and more about actions, and anyone who has gone on to the end of his career since his career finds that 40-year-old Steven Gerrard is currently doing very well. Since 2018 he has been coaching the Rangers in Glasgow, much like Liverpool, with a ton of great history behind it – and like the “Reds” in England, had to wait a long time for the moment: to finally wait for years Later again ready for the title.

It is ironic in Gerrard’s career that despite all his dedication, he never won the Premier League with his heart club Liverpool. The club only won the championship when Gerrard was gone – last year under coach Jürgen Klopp. So, if the sky doesn’t suddenly fall to Earth, Gerrard’s first championship should now come – as a coach with the Rangers.

The 54-time Scotland champion already has a 23-point lead over rivals Celtic from everlasting City, who can barely even come close with two open catch-up games. The architect of this success, Gerard, has built a new home for himself abroad.

This is a very spectacular feat, because with a goal difference of 67: 7, the Rangers – with a pure numbers approach – are currently not only the best defense of all the leagues in Europe, but also the best offensive. Of course, Scotland’s football is not the first division in terms of quality, but something is happening in the country: the national team has qualified for the European Championship for the first time since 1996, and Celtic are likely to have a nine-year reign in the league. Is to be broken. The traditional Catholic club Celtic and the more Protestant Rangers have been fighting for the title since 1985. At the moment, many observers – in addition to those who live with Celtic – are happy about the slight change.

As a coach, Gerrard promotes what he learned from greats like Hollier and Benitez in Lovepool

Gerrard likes to refer to his work as an “ongoing process”. The Rangers are in the process of changing a lot after crashing into the fourth division due to bankruptcy. He was promoted again as soon as possible, in 2016 the “Gers” fought their way into the top division.

Development work, first and foremost, was and is needed: “The team has priority,” Gerrard said at the end of the year on Club TV, “It needs to be competitive at all levels in the long term.” But he is also interested in training at the club’s own academy, he insisted, and throughout the environment: “Ibrox Park”, the venerable Rangers Stadium, is to be modernized soon, and Gerrard is also committed to it, the cabin and He is the Spice Training Center.

He preaches exactly the same, says Gerard, who he himself learned from great Liverpool coaches such as the recently deceased Gerard Houllier or Rafael Benitz: “Some coaches complicate everything,” he knows, “I’m clear.” I want to say exactly what I expect. ” With his authority, Gerrard promotes a sense of solidarity in the club. And in his authentic way, he manages to implement ideas. The Rangers play fast-paced, a lot comes from a strong midfield – as footballer Gerrard once did.

As goalkeeper Alan McGregor, 38, or Steven Davis, a 36-year-old internationally, brings professionalism and leadership skills, captain James Tavernier is currently the most dangerous defender in Europe: 15 goals and 17 assists, as a full-back! Aspiring professionals included the aggressor, such as director Ianis Hagi (son of Romanian football icon Gheorghe Hagi) or offensive racer Ryan Kent, whom Gerrard still knows from Liverpool. And so that the cast could enjoy the front, an old acquaintance of the Bundesliga also looked back: Leon Balogun, 32, of Berlin, who was once active in Bremen, Düsseldorf and Mainz.

Of course, with the current success, Gerrard is also pursuing his own coaching career. His contract in Glasgow lasts until 2024, by which time he could aim to return home with the latest reputation. Gerrard talks openly about his ambitions, recently he told the magazine Athletic: “Would I like to be Liverpool’s coach one day? Is this a dream? Yes, absolutely! The club means everything to me.” Current Liverpool coach Klopp, with whom Gerrard is in close contact, also knows: “I can help him whenever I can,” Klopp recently said casually, “If you asked me my successor Who should it be, then I’d say: Stacey! ” By the way, Klopp’s contract on Mars ends in 2024.