The one man Steven Gerrard didn't want to work with at Rangers, this is why he rejected the job

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(Credit: Imago, Getty Images) Wed 15 October 2025 9:02, UK Steven Gerrard has turned down the Rangers job and there are claims that it was because he didn’t want to work with one member of the hierarchy.Gerrard had been the favourite to take over at Ibrox, but has now pulled out of the race after talks broke down.It leaves the Gers still searching for a replacement for Russell Martin, who was sacked by the club following a 1-1 draw with Falkirk.Currently, Kevin Muscat and Danny Rohl are both in the race for the Rangers job, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also a candidate.Credit: GettyThe real reason Steven Gerrard rejected RangersOn Saturday (October 11), it was reported that Gerrard had rejected Rangers and that the club were moving on to other options.Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that the former Liverpool man turned down a return to Ibrox due to the fact he didn’t want to work with Kevin Thelwell.Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that the idea of working under Thelwell didn’t appeal to Gerrard, as he would have less say in the recruitment. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Wyness added that a reported big tax bill upon his return from Saudi Arabia could also have convinced the former England international to walk away from any offer.He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think the idea of working under Kevin Thelwell didn’t appeal to Steven.

He didn’t like that the structure in terms of recruitment was there; that’s what we’re hearing. “Also, it could well be the cash, because I know it would have been a pretty hefty Saudi tax bill if he had to come back to England, and I don’t think that Rangers are in a position to actually say to him, look, we’ll take care of that for you and make it up to you.

“So I think that could have been at the root of it, along with some concerns about Thelwell and the recruitment. What we’re seeing, though with Rangers right now is that they’ve got themselves into this situation by having a knee-jerk reaction to the fan base, and it’s a difficult cycle to get out of.”Kevin Thelwell’s job under scrutiny at RangersMeanwhile, Football Insider have exclusively revealed that Thelwell’s position at Rangers is under growing scrutiny.The director of football joined from Everton at the start of the summer but his reign has been marked by underwhelming signings and the calamitous appointment of Martin.Credit: ImagoNow, sources say that Ibrox chiefs have given Thelwell a less central role in the search for a new manager.Thelwell is taking the majority of the blame for not getting the Gerrard deal over the line, and that, coupled with his failures over the summer, has seemingly proved enough for the hierarchy.For more Rangers and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.