Steven gerrard rejects rangers next manager chance for key reason

THE 44-YEAR-OLD HAS BEEN LINKED WITH AN EMOTIONAL IBROX RETURN BUT IT LOOKS TO BE 11:48, 29 May 2025Updated 19:35, 29 May 2025 Steven Gerrard is on the brink of officially bowing out of the

race to become the next Rangers manager – just hours after Dave King personally endorsed him for the hotseat. _RECORD SPORT_ revealed last week that – despite being heavy odds on with the

bookies to return to his old Ibrox post – Gerrard was, in fact, facing a major hurdle to convince his wife Alex that the time is right for the family to turn their backs on the trappings of

luxury in the Middle East. But ex-chairman King insisted on Wednesday Gerrard should be considered as the obvious frontrunner for the job - and urged the incoming new regime to make their

move for the Scouser ahead of both Davide Ancelotti and Russell Martin. Despite King’s late push, sources in the region believe Gerrard has decided to stay put in Bahrain for at least

another year and withdraw himself from the running to become Philippe Clement’s successor. It’s understood Gerrard’s camp had held initial discussions with the men fronting up the hunt for a

new boss. But, as we reported, he asked for time to weigh up his options and discuss the potential move with his long term partner. And now the pair appear to have opted to stay put for at

least 12 more months in what is being described as a ‘lifestyle’ choice. It’s understood the decision is not based around tax implications and as Gerrard is now exempt from a multi-million

pound HMRC penalty on the vast earnings he banked during a two year stint in Saudi Arabia with Al-Etifaq. It is unclear, however, if the 44-year-old former England skipper is still waiting

for pay off payments or gardening leave to be paid following his sacking from the club. To further muddy the waters it’s believed Gerrard is thought to be open to a return to the helm at

Ibrox at some stage in the future but not at this particular point in time. There are also rumours swirling on Merseyside that he could be a leading candidate to become Arne Slot’s new

assistant manager with the title winning Dutchman’s current right hand man Johnny Heitinga linked to the vacant manager’s role at Ajax. It remains to be seen if the potential lure of an

emotional return to Anfield could prompt a hasty rethink. But, if Gerrard does rule himself out of the running for the Rangers job, then it looks like a straight shootout between Ancelotti

and Martin, with incoming owner Andrew Cavenagh expected to have the final say. Cavenagh has charged sporting director Kevin Thelwell and Gretar Steinsson of the San Francisco 49ers to front

up the hunt for a new boss and whittle their way through a list of candidates. Article continues below But it’s understood the health insurance tycoon is now days away from finally

completing his multi-million pound takeover of the club and that he will make the ultimate decision on the identity of the man leading the new era from the sidelines.