The Ibrox icon has dropped a truth bomb on the Liverpool icon amid rumours he could return to the dugout
(Image: PA)
Rangers icon Ally McCoist has warned Steven Gerrard that he has to get his next management job right after closing the door on a return to Ibrox.
But he has revealed he has already heard suggestions that 49ers Enterprises – who own Rangers and Leeds United – could eye the Liverpool icon for the Elland Road hot seat.
Before the appointment of Danny Rohl as Russell Martin’s successor, Gerrard was locked in talks with chairman Andrew Cavenagh and Paraag Marathe of 49ers Enterprises but walked away after several rounds of discussions.
The former England international – who ended Celtic ‘s stranglehold on the Scottish Premiership by bringing the title to Ibrox in 2021 – has since admitted nagging doubts forced him to step away from a stunning return to Glasgow.
Gerrard has been out of work since leaving Al-Ettifaq in the midst of a disappointing Saudi Pro League season last term.
He has emerged as the early bookies favourite to replace Rob Edwards at Championship promotion-hopefuls Middlesborough after the gaffer joined Premier League outfit Wolves.
And McCoist told talkSPORT Bet: “It’s difficult. The bottom line is that we’ll never know. I know the fans, myself included, were very keen on Steven coming back (to Rangers).
“I thought it’d have been a good move, but he obviously saw something that he didn’t fancy. Steven’s next job, I’d suggest, is vital. He has to get it right.
“Steven has probably looked at the club right now, the level of the playing staff, people above him and something hasn’t taken to his liking.
“From that point-of-view, he’d probably tell you that he’s made the right decision.”
Ally McCoist
Gerrard has long been on the agenda for 49ers Enterprises having been on the shortlist of candidates for the new owners in the summer alongside former Southampton boss Martin and Davide Ancelotti.
Leeds United coach Stewart Downing also claimed that he was previously on the NFL investment wing’s radar in Yorkshire before they appointed Daniel Farke.
And with the German facing mounting pressure amid a disappointing return to the English top flight, McCoist has revealed he has heard chatter about Gerrard joining Leeds.
He told talkSPORT: “People have said to me, would Gerrard be interested perhaps in the Leeds job. You’ve got to appreciate that there’s already somebody in the Leeds job. Big club.
“And I think it’s really important for Gerrard, and I’m sure he will want back into the game, I don’t have any doubt about that, but I think his next appointment is absolutely vital for him.”
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