Steven Gerrard's next club odds: After Saudi adventure, where next for former Villa boss?

Imago

Steven Gerrard’s Saudi adventure is over after the Liverpool legend left his role as head coach of Al-Ettifaq, by mutual consent. Having managed both Rangers and Aston Villa in the Scottish and English top tier, where is his next possible coaching destination?

The 44-year-old left ‘The Commandos’ In January with the club sat in 12th place in the 18-team Saudi Pro League. They were just five points clear of the relegation zone, but a whopping 24 points away from Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad who were vying for the league title.

Having won just two of their last 14 league matches, after a sixth-place finish in his first season, Gerrard leaves his third senior managerial job after previously signing a contract extension in January 2024 that was meant to take him until 2027.

After success in Scotland with Rangers - guiding the Gers to their first Scottish Premiership title since 2011 - and previously taking the reins at Aston Villa, is a return to the UK on the cards?

Gerrard’s managerial career began at Ibrox, and a return to Rangers is deemed the most-likely option with UK bookmakers (6/4). Belgian boss Philippe Clement is under pressure in the Gers hot seat, with his side 13 points behind Celtic at time of writing and fresh off the back of a shock Scottish Cup exit to Queen's Park.

The 2020/21 Scottish Premiership title that Gerrard won, unbeaten, remains the only time Celtic have failed to win the league in the last 13 seasons. If Clement goes, you can see the appeal of a reunion for both parties. 

Another contender for Gerrard's services are Wycombe, who recently lost their manager Matt Bloomfield to Luton. The Chairboys sit in second place in League One and are four points clear of Wrexham in third, so Adams Park could prove an attractive destination right now.

Having tasted Championship football previously, Wanderers are 7/4 second favourites and could lure the Liverpool legend to Buckinghamshire with only big-spending Birmingham ahead of them in England’s third tier.

Other Championship vacancies at bottom-half teams haven’t emerged yet, but Portsmouth (2/1) and Swansea (9/4) are also seen as possible return routes to the UK for Gerrard despite both having managers currently in place.

Tranmere Rovers (5/1) are currently managed by Nigel Adkins, but a vacancy at Prenton Park would mean a return to Merseyside which Gerrard may deem attractive despite the club languishing in 22nd place in England’s fourth division right now.

Another opening in Scotland exists, as Stuart Kettlewell recently left Motherwell after two years in charge at Fir Park. The Steelmen sit in fifth place in the Scottish Premiership, despite winning just one of their last nine matches in all competitions, and they are priced at 6/1 to secure Gerrard's services.

The only Premier League team to feature among the favourites is Leicester - who are available at 10/1. The Foxes appointed Ruud van Nistelrooy in November but have struggled to improve under the Dutchman and remain embroiled in a relegation battle. 

Odds are correct at the time of writing.