Steven Gerrard to Leeds United mooted in last-ditch hire by journalist who’s close to former Rangers manager
Former Liverpool Echo journalist Neil Jones has suggested he would like to see Steven Gerrard at Leeds United.
Leeds are still yet to officially appoint a new manager following Sam Allardyce’s departure after the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
And Jones has suggested, via Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing (28 June), that he can’t see former Aston Villa boss Gerrard spending much longer without work, and would like to see him take on the Championship in his next position.
“There’s no doubt he’s in a situation now where he’s unlikely to get a Premier League job next, so he needs to pick his next club very carefully. I think Sheffield Wednesday have been linked and Leeds had an interest at some stage too,” Jones wrote.
“As someone who’s worked closely with Gerrard, speaking to him several times and covering his career as both a player and a coach, I still firmly believe the potential is there for him to be a very good manager.
“I don’t think he’ll be out of work for much longer, and I’d like to see him in the Championship, with a big club like Leeds, Norwich or Sheffield Wednesday, where there’s plenty of expectation, but also an opportunity to build something.”
Gamble
Leeds could perhaps take a gamble and look to appoint Gerrard as Jones has suggested.
While there is no doubt that he struggled in the Premier League with Aston Villa, Gerrard is still relatively young and has time to turn his managerial fortunes around. What he did at Rangers cannot be forgotten.
He helped to get the club back where they belong by taking down a rampant Celtic side – this is no easy achievement. On that basis alone the former Liverpool captain deserves another chance in management at a big club.
With Leeds, there would be a situation where you have a club and a coach both with a point to prove, and that could be a recipe for success. However, it could also prove to be a bad fit.
Whatever way you look at it, Gerrard to Leeds would be a gamble, and it might be one the club aren’t willing to take in the situation they find themselves in.
In other Leeds United news, a wantaway star is set to get his move soon and start pre-season with another club.