'Never say never' Former Liverpool star believes ex-Rangers head coach could return to Ibrox

Steven Gerrard left Rangers in 2021 to join Aston Villa - nevertheless, former Liverpool ace Danny Murphy thinks that he could return to his old post at some point in the future.

Despite this, given the current situation of both parties, Murphy admitted that it is ‘hard to see’ Gerrard making the jump back to the Gers. As things stand, the Liverpool icon is manager of Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League - however, his position at the Saudi Arabian outfit is starting to look fragile.

Furthermore, Murphy does not think Gerrard will be able to jump into another Premier League job for his next managerial role. He said his time at Villa looked like a ‘failure’ - nevertheless, he is confident that the 44 year old would be able to secure a post in the Championship.

He used Wayne Rooney at Plymouth Argyle as an example, claiming that the former Everton and Manchester United star is doing an ‘admirable’ job with the Pilgrims.

Speaking with Boyle Sports, Murphy said: “I think it would be hard to replicate what Steven Gerrard did at Rangers before because they're struggling. Their squad is inferior to Celtic and the gap has got much bigger since he left.

“But he's a determined man who wants to work hard and if he was to go back there and then win the league again and overcome Celtic again then it would be a huge achievement. It’s hard to see him being back there but never say never.”

One what the future may have in store for Gerrard, Murphy mused: “I like to see any English coach who's trying to succeed and do well, putting themselves out there and accepting failure as well as successes and bouncing back.

“You've got Wayne Rooney at Plymouth now trying to rebuild and fighting his way through that, which is admirable because he doesn't need to do it from a financial point of view, it's just pure ambition. I think we'll probably see Stevie do the same. I'd like to see Frank Lampard do it as well. Great lads, really keen to improve their CV.

“Realistically, you'd have to say with Stevie it's more likely to be a Championship club than a Premier League club because of his Aston Villa job looking like a failure.

“So yeah, I would like to see him coaching here again, it'd be nice to see him back. It's about waiting for that chance. I admire the fact, obviously, there's a financial reward for going to Saudi, but rather than sitting at home wiggling his thumbs waiting for something. He went over there, coached, he's been keeping his toe in the water if you like.

“I know it's a lesser level but still coaching is a learning curve and if you're not on the pitch, if you're not coaching then you're losing a chance to practice what you're good at so at least if there was an option now for a Championship job for example at least he's been at it.”