Rangers warned Gerrard "wouldn't go back" before sacking Van Bronckhorst

Kenny Dalglish doesn't think that Steven Gerrard will return to Rangers following the sacking of Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

The Dutchman was given his marching orders on Monday morning after a disastrous Champions League campaign, where Rangers lost all six of their group games. They are also the worst team in the history of the competition's group stage after finishing with zero points and a goal difference of -20 - one more than Viktoria Plzen conceded this season and Dinamo Zagreb in 2011/12.

Van Bronckhorst, who lasted 368 days in charge, replaced Gerrard in November 2021 as the Liverpool legend decided to take the Aston Villa job. However, Gerrard was sacked after 11 months with the West Midlands side languishing just above the Premier League relegation zone.

With Gerrard linked with the now-vacant position, Dalglish believes that he may turn down the opportunity to return to Ibrox due to his experience in the Premier League and his desire to get manage at that level. During his three-year stay at Rangers, Gerrard led the Gers to their first Scottish Premiership title in 10 years.

Writing in his column for the Sunday Post, Scotland icon Dalglish said: "It's even been suggested that some Bluenoses would like to see Steven Gerrard back in charge after he and Aston Villa parted company. That scenario is completely hypothetical, and only Steven would know what he would do if he was ever offered another chance on Glasgow's south side. My personal view is that he wouldn't go back to Ibrox."

But Gerrard may have hinted he would be open to a return when he posted a classy farewell message in November 2021, with the 42-year-old making his love for the club clear. Gerrard expressed his "sincere gratitude to everybody associated with Glasgow Rangers for giving me the opportunity to manage such an iconic football club".

Will Steven Gerrard return to Rangers? Let us know in the comments below!

"I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone associated with Glasgow Rangers, especially the fans, for the love and support you've all shown me during my time in Scotland," he posted on Instagram.

"Winning '55' will always hold a special place in my heart - each and every one of you played a part in that and, believe me, there will be many more to come. I hope in time you can understand and accept my decision to move on but I honestly fell in love with the club and will always follow the team. Once a Ranger, always a Ranger #55."

Domestically, Rangers are second in the Scottish Premiership having won 10 of their 15 league outings. But Celtic are running away with it and sit nine points clear heading into the World Cup break.

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