Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has admitted to harbouring “regret” over his decision to leave Ibrox for Aston Villa in 2021, citing a lack of financial backing and the massive “jump” in quality between leagues.
The 45-year-old spent three successful years in Glasgow, famously leading Rangers to an unbeaten Scottish Premiership title in 2021 and stopping Celtic’s quest for ten-in-a-row. However, his departure in November 2021—while Rangers sat top of the league—left many supporters feeling aggrieved.
“I Regret Doing It Now”
Speaking on The Overlap’s Stick To Football podcast, Gerrard reflected on the move with the benefit of hindsight, suggesting he may have jumped at the Premier League opportunity too soon.
“The level (between Scotland and England) was a big jump,” Gerrard admitted. “I probably didn’t realise that at the time when I made that decision, and we talk about hindsight, we would all be great with hindsight, wouldn’t we?”
When asked if he should have remained in Govan to further his managerial education, his answer was candid: “Would I have stayed at Rangers longer? To get more experience? I regret doing it now (leaving), sitting here. I didn’t at the time.”
Broken Promises at Ibrox?
While the lure of the English Premier League was undeniable, Gerrard revealed that frustrations with the Rangers hierarchy played a significant role in his decision to move south. According to the former Liverpool captain, the club’s appetite for further investment didn’t match his own ambitions after clinching ’55’.
- Recruitment Issues: Gerrard noted that conversations regarding finances and squad building became difficult post-title.
- Lack of Momentum: “It didn’t feel as if Rangers were ready to go again. It was a bit more like ‘Oh, let’s settle this and fix that,’” he explained.
- Stronger Promises: Gerrard claims that “the promises weren’t as strong as I thought they would be” regarding the club’s future direction.
Despite those frustrations, Gerrard confessed that the pull of the most-watched league in the world ultimately proved too much to resist. “Then the Premier League opportunity comes along, and it’s tough to say no to that,” he added.
Life After Govan
Gerrard’s tenure at Villa Park lasted less than a year, with the manager being sacked in October 2022. Since then, he has moved into the Saudi Pro League, but his latest comments are sure to reignite debate among the Rangers’ support regarding the manner of his exit.
With Rangers currently in the heat of a title race, the “what if” surrounding Gerrard’s departure remains one of the biggest talking points in recent Ibrox history.
What do you make of Gerrard’s comments? Was he right to leave when he did, or did he let the club down? Let us know in the comments.
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
