Rangers hero gives 'green light' to UK management return as Premier League club talks accelerate
The Liverpool legend is currently enjoying life as a pundit
Former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is reportedly in the running to take over from Scott Parker in the dugout at Burnley.
The last man to lift the Scottish Premiership trophy with the Light Blues has had subsequent spells with Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq, but has been out of work since he left Saudi Arabia in January 2025. After spending three years at Ibrox in his first role, the 45-year old had a chance to return to Rangers in October but turned it down as current boss Danny Rohl took charge instead. Since then, Gerrard has been working as a pundit for TNT Sports.
It’s been a tough season back in the top flight for Burnley after they were promoted last season. Tottenham Hotspur’s win against Wolves over the weekend sealed the Clarets’ relegation fate, which has been written on the wall for some time. With current boss Parker’s future hanging in the balance, Gerrard is reportedly in the fray to replace him, should he leave over the summer.
Burnley talks accelerate as Gerrard talks given ‘green light’
According to Belgian journalist, Sacha Tavolieri: “Things are speeding up at Burnley FC. Clarets have entered talks with Steven Gerrard’s representatives to make the Reds legend their new head coach. The Englishman has given the green light to move forward…”
Former Celtic winger and current Wales boss, Craig Bellamy is in the running to be Parker’s replacement, as well as recently-dismissed Chelsea gaffer Liam Rosenior. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Thomas Frank, Slaven Bilic and Sean Dyche are also in contention.
If successful, it would be a new beginning for Gerrard, as the Liverpool legend has never managed in the second tier of any division before. Burnley have became English football’s ‘boing-boing’ team of late having been relegated and promoted twice in the past four years. Their previous boss Vincent Kompany is now managing European giants Bayern Munich as they look to secure the Champions League.
Gerrard on Tavernier decision
Perhaps no other manager at Rangers got the best out of captain James Tavernier than Gerrard. The Englishman lifted the Scottish Premiership trophy under his guidance and had a staggering 35 goal contributions in all competitions during the same campaign. As the 34-year old now calls time on his Rangers career in the summer upon the expiration of his contract, Gerrard said it wasn’t a surprise he is calling it a day.
He told the Rangers Review: “Not surprised was my initial reaction. When you’re coming to that stage of your career, I’ve been there myself as a player, you’re not an automatic choice. Obviously, I’ve got a personal relationship with him, and I wish him well. With the service he’s given Rangers and Scottish football, I think he deserves to go on his terms this time, and I wish him nothing but the best.”