Steven Gerrard in the Running for Southampton Managerial Role
Over two years after his dismissal from Aston Villa, Steven Gerrard is being linked with a return to English football.
The former Liverpool captain has been out of a job since leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq in January, following an 18-month stint during which he faced criticism over his training schedule. Now, he could be in contention for a managerial role back in his homeland.
Southampton recently parted ways with Ivan Juric after their relegation from the Premier League was confirmed. Simon Rusk has stepped in as interim manager for the second time this season, with Saints midfielder Adam Lallana serving as his assistant.
Gerrard Considered a Strong Contender for Southampton Job
According to Birmingham World, Gerrard is among the leading candidates to take over at St Mary’s as the club searches for a permanent manager.
Steve Cooper, who was dismissed by Leicester in November, is seen as the frontrunner, while Sean Dyche is also in contention. Additionally, former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is mentioned, though his chances are considered slim, with bookmakers giving him just a 9.1% probability.
A Chance for Redemption in English Football
Southampton is expected to wait until summer to finalize their next managerial appointment, as securing a Championship-level manager would be more cost-effective than hiring from a Premier League club. In the meantime, their immediate objective is to avoid setting a new low for the worst-ever Premier League season, surpassing Derby County’s infamous 2007/08 campaign.
If Gerrard lands the job, he could benefit from Lallana’s inside knowledge of Southampton, either by keeping him on the coaching staff or seeking his advice informally.
His previous managerial spell in England ended poorly, as Aston Villa sacked him in October 2022 with the team struggling in 17th place. His successor, Unai Emery, transformed Villa’s fortunes, making Gerrard’s tenure appear even less successful by comparison.
Despite setbacks at Villa and Al-Ettifaq, Gerrard has the opportunity to restore his managerial reputation. Southampton would present a tough challenge, with the expectation of securing an immediate return to the Premier League and vastly improving the squad’s competitiveness.
However, as a player, Gerrard thrived under pressure, and if he is given another chance in English football, he will hope to apply the lessons learned from his past experiences to succeed in his next role.