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Steven Gerrard has been told that it's vital that he makes the right call when it comes to making a decision on his next managerial job.
Gerrard's managerial career started impressively as he guided Rangers to Scottish Premiership glory in 2021, denying Celtic a 10th successive league crown.
The Liverpool legend's success north of the border earned him a shot at a Premier League job with Aston Villa, but he was dismissed just 11 months after his appointment. Gerrard's failings at Villa have since been made to look even worse by the success Unai Emery has brought to the Midlands club, and Gerrard's only managerial role since his Villa exit came in the Middle East, with Al-Ettifaq.
Gerrard was in charge of the Saudi Pro League club for 18 months but left in January 2025 following a run of disappointing results, and has been jobless since.
Rangers great Ally McCoist suggested that a role in the Championship could suit Gerrard. “I think his next job… He’ll get one, I think it’s absolutely vital that it’s the right one for him," McCoist said.
“I don’t know at this moment in time which is the better job between Norwich and Southampton. Both of them are in free fall. If you’re asking me right now which one of the three you’re taking, you’re taking Middlesbrough all day.
“I think they [Middlesbrough] might [take a punt on Gerrard as Rob Edwards' replacement], you know? I think they might, because the one thing you’re going to get, you’re going to get a really hungry man.”
Gerrard was in contention for a return to Rangers following Russell Martin's sacking in October, but Danny Rohl was ultimately appointed after Gerrard pulled out of talks.
Explaining his decision to remove himself from the running for the Ibrox job, Gerrard said: "I had some really positive and interesting talks with the owners. But it felt a bit rushed. I had a lot to think about and a short space of time to give a decision.
"There were a few things I was uncertain about. And if I'm going to take a challenge that big and that important - I've got that affection and connection with Rangers - for me to take that on again it had to be perfect and I had to be 100% ready.
"I have to analyse, is it right for me? Is the timing right and are things perfect for me to be the best version of myself in that job? Unfortunately the timing, it didn't feel right to me.
"I've got that much respect for Rangers that I wouldn't go in there if I was 80-90% ready, but hopefully one day I'll be more ready and more prepared for it and that chance might come again."
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