EVERY manager knows the politics and business of football. In a game where the stakes are as high, the rewards that come with success are as great as the costs associated with failure.

Steven Gerrard understands that as well as anyone. That didn’t make the news this week that friend and former team-mate Frank Lampard had lost his job at Chelsea any easier to take, though.

While Gerrard stands on the brink of his first major achievement in the dugout, Lampard is now coming to terms with his first major setback. His sacking at Stamford Bridge was perhaps cruel and unforgiving, but that is the nature of the game.

Another of Gerrard’s former England compatriots, Wayne Rooney, has now done the same deal with the devil after being appointed the manager of Derby County.

And the Rangers boss knows how quickly fortunes can change in the game where past achievements and the strength of a famous name only counts for so much.

"I don’t think it takes something like [Monday's] news to make me appreciate the support I’ve had here at Rangers," Gerrard said.

"It’s something we discussed at length and in detail before I took the job. I knew coming into it that it wasn’t going to be a journey of ups all the time, where everything was going to be rosy and all of sudden we would change the fortunes of this club overnight.

The Herald: Derby County manager Wayne Rooney Derby County manager Wayne Rooney

"I think the board were well aware it was going to take time and there would need to be some patience. But at the same time I very much appreciate the support I have had from day one here.

“I’ve had conversations with both of them (Lampard and Rooney), along with others I’ve built relationships with in the game. You try and be a support for each other, not just in these situations like the news with Frank.

“If there is any support you can give to a friend or former team-mate, you give it. Because it is a tough role managing these big clubs."

The sacking of Lampard caught many off guard but it shouldn’t have been a surprise given the way in which Chelsea operate and hire and fire their managers.

 

 

The former Blues captain was accustomed to that coming and going during his illustrious playing career and he must now follow the examples of his predecessors and look to rebuild away from Chelsea.

"I’m obviously disappointed and gutted for Frank," Gerrard said. "He’s an ex-team-mate of mine and someone I have huge respect for. He’s obviously a young coach like myself.

"But I think Frank needs to be really proud of what he’s done so far. He came ever so close with Derby in the play-offs and did a fantastic job there.

READ: Steven Gerrard reveals planning for the future approach to Rangers' transfer market activity

"In terms of the job he did Chelsea – getting them in the top four with his hands tied behind his back, if you like, and developing some real big talents there – I think he did a fantastic job.

"Yes, his results of late have been a bit indifferent and I have been a bit surprised he wasn’t given a bit more time and a bit more support during that first rough spell.

"But this is the job we are in and the nature of it. It can be brutal at times. Chelsea have got a history of making changes pretty quickly in these situations.

"So I suppose from that point of view I haven’t been so surprised at all. But knowing Frank as the character and the winner he is, he will dust himself down and be back in no time."

The low moments that Gerrard has experienced at Ibrox haven’t pushed him to the brink but there have been times when the Liverpool legend has been under pressure over the last two-and-a-half years.

He is leading the way for that generation of young English managers and has no doubts that his former Three Lions team-mate will be a success as a coach in the future.

“It’s the nature of the job, it happens," Gerrard said. "I didn’t speak to Frank on Monday, I’m sure his phone would have been on fire in terms of incoming calls. I’ll give him some time and space.

“I exchanged some messages with him on Tuesday morning and he’s fine, he’s okay. I’m sure he will dust himself down, spend some time with his family and get ready for his next challenge.

“That’s the character of the man I know. He will learn from the experience of the last 18 months.

“He should be really proud of the job he’s done, not just at Chelsea but previously at Derby as well.

“For a young manager to achieve what he has in such a short space of time, there are a lot of positives among that.

“He has brought through players like Mason Mount, Reece James and Tammy Abraham - they are going to be forever in debt to Frank for the opportunities he has given them.

 

 

“He got Chelsea into the top four without being able to go into the transfer market, that was a very tough thing to do. He nearly got Derby promoted to the Premier League.

“It’s obviously going to be a tough few days for him but he will bounce back. He will really analyse how it’s gone for him and try to improve moving forward."

While Lampard will have to watch the rest of Chelsea’s campaign from his couch, Rooney will attempt to save Derby from relegation to League One in the coming months.

The Herald: Rangers manager Steven Gerrard Rangers manager Steven Gerrard

Across the border, Gerrard has a place in Ibrox folklore in his sights as Rangers close in on the Premiership title. He understands the lows, but is on the brink of the ultimate high.

Gerrard said: “When you go into these jobs, you understand it is going to be a journey. It’s going to be a rollercoaster at times. You are going to have some tough days, you are going to have some top times.

“That’s the way it is, that’s management. That’s the reality of it. But some clubs are a little bit quicker than others in terms of making changes.

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“I’m sure Frank was aware of that when he signed up for it. These are the questions you ask as a manager before you go into a club.

“You have to make decisions on situations like this - are you going to get the support if you have a few indifferent results? He hasn’t had that support.

“They have decided to make a change very swiftly. But we all know as managers that’s the world we live in, that’s the reality of the job."