Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has lifted the lid on his approach to his players in the Ibrox dressing room and revealed he is looking to strike a balance between a firm hand and a soft touch.
The Gers boss is in his first stint in the dugout, having joined the Light Blues from being a coach in Liverpool’s youth system, and has managed to lift his new side to second in the Premiership table.
Speaking of how he tries to manage his side on a weekly basis, Gerrard admitted he was somewhere in the middle of an old school boss and someone who tries to be more motivational.
He told the Daily Record: “I probably prefer the one that sits in the middle who tries to get the man-management side of it right but is really honest and respectful to the players.
“I don’t like the old-school way where you are throwing things around the dressing room, kicking things and pulling things off the wall. I also don’t believe in managers who are constantly praising players, telling them they’re great and the best thing since sliced bread.
“I won’t mislead a player. I don’t belittle anyone. I don’t single anyone out. I don’t make any of them feel uncomfortable. I do it in a way I believe is right. When we’ve been honest in the dressing room, we’ve spoken and the reaction’s been really good and really strong. If the media want to look at it like it’s ‘home truths’ and I’ve gone in like there’s been hair dryers and cups flying, well it’s not like that.”
Opinion
You just have to look at the managers that Gerrard had during his spell at Anfield to see where his influences lie. From the cold and calculating Gerard Houllier and Rafael Benitez to the modern day approaches of Brendan Rodgers – now his arch-nemesis over the road in Glasgow – and Jurgen Klopp, the former midfielder has plenty of experience to draw upon. He certainly seems to have everyone at Ibrox pulling in the same direction and there has been no suggestion the players are not on board with his methods. He is inexperienced and perhaps that will show itself later down the line but regardless of that he can count his side’s campaign as a success so far. The aim for next season will be to push for a title and to progress on the European stage but considering how impressive he has been in Glasgow, there could well be other sides, likely those south of the border, who feel he could be a good fit. Will he be tempted to leave Rangers? For a Premier League side, absolutely, for it gets him one step closer to the Liverpool job. A Championship side might be able to, but it would have to be the right one for him.