Steven Gerrard is ‘one of the top contenders’ for the position of Newcastle United manager, according to a report from Football Insider on Tuesday.
The lowdown
Steve Bruce is expected to be relieved of his duties as Magpies boss before they face Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.
Newcastle’s new owners have set their sights on winning the Premier League and competing in Europe (via Sky Sports).
In his first role as a manager, Gerrard has led Rangers to their first Scottish title in ten years and also steered them to the Europa League Round of 16.
Nearly a third of supporters already regard him as one of the club’s all-time greats (via Daily Record).
The Liverpool icon is contracted until the end of the 2023/24 season, having signed an extension in December 2019 (via BBC Sport).
The latest
A Newcastle source has told the publication that Gerrard is among the leading candidates to replace Bruce.
He’s ‘expected to be sounded out about his interest’ in taking over at St James’ Park.
Bruce’s sacking should be confirmed ‘within days’, the report adds.
The verdict
If indeed an approach is about to be made, Gerrard will have a decision to make. There are two basic elements – does he want to manage Newcastle, and is he willing to leave Rangers?
He’d surely find the offer attractive given the vast transfer funds that should be available to him – it’s an enviable project.
By contrast, Gerrard has recently expressed frustration with Rangers’ reluctance to spend, and may fear that he can’t take the team much further without sufficient investment.
That’s a worrying combination, and perhaps the Ibrox board will have to make some fresh promises to convince the gaffer to stay put.
In other news, fans absolutely loved this footage.
