Brendan Rodgers and Steven Gerrard stood in opposite dugouts at Celtic Park in September 2018. Rodgers had presided over a Double Treble with Celtic whilst the ex-Liverpool midfielder had taken his first role in management with Rangers. A goal from Olivier Ntcham would seal the three points for Rodgers but during the return game in March 2019, Neil Lennon had replaced Rodgers, who absconded to Leicester.
Rodgers enjoyed success with Leicester, two fifth-placed finishes as well as the FA Cup but this year, he has struggled as his team have cut back- selling key players and not replacing them. Leicester earned a much-needed win by beating Jesse March’s Leeds United. This moves Rodgers off the floor of the Premier League.
Gerrard, who survived the chop at Ibrox in March 2020 due to COVID-19, oversaw Rangers winning the Premiership title in 2020/21, a season that was completed entirely behind closed doors. Instead of remaining in Glasgow and attempting to contend with Ange, Gerrard replaced Dean Smith at Villa.
Gerrard’s time at Aston Villa is now at an end after his side were soundly beaten by Fulham in London. Gerrard was serenaded with chants from the away end urging their board to act. The arrogance of Gerrard at Rangers wasnt as well received at Villa and their supporters quickly turned on him.
Celtic are impressing under Ange Postecoglou while Rangers are in turmoil, being booed off the field by their supporters. While Gerrard joins Liz Truss on the sack list, Rodgers will be hoping to push himself back into a position where he is once again one of the most attractive prospects as a Premier League manager.
There is a lesson for Ange somewhere in there, about making a move at the right time and for the right club. The Australian is already attracting attention but is committed to his project with the Scottish Champions but there will be a time when a team entices him to consider an offer.
He never was the manager, just the front man.
Michael Beale called the shots and when he bailed to take up a management role with QPR it wa only a matter of time before Gerrard fell flat on his face.