STEVEN GERRARD is reportedly set to pull out of the race to become the next Rangers boss.
The Liverpool legend was one of the front-runners to take over the reins at Ibrox alongside former Real Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti and ex-Southampton boss Russell Martin.
But, just hours after shareholder Dave King gave him his backing when he said he was the “obvious choice”, it looks like he’s dropping out of contention.
King felt Gerrard had “unfinished business” at Ibrox after leading the club to the Premiership title in 2021 before joining Aston Villa months later.
He told SunSport on Wednesday: ““From Steven’s point of view and where he is at the moment, I think he’d love nothing more than to come back and take on the challenge of restoring the club.
“It’s not just about one title. The project we hope we’re starting is to make Rangers the dominant No 1 team in Scotland.”
But according to the Daily Record, sources say Gerrard and his family have opted to stay in the Middle East for at least another year in what is being described as a “lifestyle” choice.
The report claims it’s not to do with a potential huge tax bill facing Gerrard if he returns to work in the UK after being in Saudi Arabia as Al-Ettifaq boss as he is now exempt.
That would seemingly open the door to remaining contenders former Madrid assistant Davide Ancelotti, ex-Feyenoord boss Brian Priske and former Southampton boss Russell Martin.
It’s believed Rangers is Ancelotti’s number one choice, with news expected on that front in the next couple of days, according to the BBC.
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The 35-year-old has been assistant to his legendary father Carlo at Madrid, Bayern Munich, Napoli and Everton but now looks set to go out on his own.
But if things are dragged out longer, the Gers could miss their window to land the Italian, as he has other options on the table – and one of those is a Serie A side, according to reports in Italy.
Russell Martin is also expected to meet with club representatives this week to make a fresh pitch to become the next Rangers boss.
American health tycoon Andrew Cavenagh, who is the driving force behind the takeover, is also expected to be in Europe this week to take a leading role in the final stages of the hiring process.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
