Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard in running for sensational managerial return
Liverpool struck gold when they hired Arne Slot as their new manager last summer, but they could have gone down an entirely different route.
Jurgen Klopp made the shock decision to step down from his role last year, and the Reds were scrambling for a replacement.
Liverpool could not convince Xabi Alonso to return and eventually hired Slot, who has now won the Premier League in his first season in charge.
Alonso’s former teammate Steven Gerrard has had a less successful foray into management, but he could be set to return to the dugout in a surprise move.
Gerrard linked with West Brom job
Gerrard has been out of management since leaving Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq in January, but this summer could see him return to England.
West Brom have parted ways with manager Tony Mowbray and are now on the lookout for his replacement, and Gerrard has emerged as a possible candidate.
| Gerrard roles (league) | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Points per game |
| Rangers | 107 | 76 | 21 | 10 | 2.33 |
| Aston Villa | 38 | 12 | 8 | 18 | 1.16 |
| Al-Ettifaq | 51 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 1.31 |
Oddschecker have revealed that Gerrard is 16/1 to take the role, making him an outside option behind the likes of Sean Dyche, Gary O’Neil and Ryan Mason, but he has ties to the Midlands, having previously managed Aston Villa.
Gerrard has not enjoyed his time as a manager since he left Rangers in 2021, and at that time, all signs pointed towards him eventually taking over from Klopp at Liverpool.
Gerrard could have succeeded Klopp as Liverpool manager
There may have been a long-term plan in place for Gerrard to eventually succeed Klopp, while the Englishman’s stock was still high.
At Rangers, Gerrard won the Scottish Premiership title undefeated in a historic feat, and they have not won the competition since.
This eventually led him to take the Aston Villa job, and he signed a contract until 2025, running concurrently with Klopp’s.
Had Gerrard succeeded at Villa, he could have been the prime candidate to slot straight in as Klopp’s replacement at Anfield, but he was dismissed after a hugely disappointing year.
If Gerrard does return to management with West Brom, his task will be to reach the play-offs, with Mowbray failing to guide the Baggies there on his return to the club earlier this year.