Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey believes Steven Gerrard needs more managerial experience before taking the Anfield hotseat, as speculation grows after Liverpool's difficult run
Steven Gerrard
Liverpool have already been given a Steven Gerrard verdict amid Arne Slot sack pressure
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Emile Heskey has previously suggested that Steven Gerrard would need more managerial experience to become Liverpool manager. The legendary Reds captain has been touted as a potential successor to Arne Slot, following a challenging period under the Dutchman.
Gerrard has not been in the dugout since January, after leaving his position at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq. Bookmakers have lined up a series of contenders that could replace Slot, with Jurgen Klopp, Andoni Iraola and Gerrard among the potential candidates.
Saturday's defeat to Nottingham Forest was a sixth defeat in their last seven matches. The ex-Liverpool midfielder previously spent 11 months as head coach at Aston Villa after impressing with Rangers.
But when asked last month about the possibility of Gerrard becoming the Reds' head coach in the future, Heskey conceded that his former teammate needs more experience.
Speaking via BetBrain, he said: "He needs more experience. He definitely needs more experience because you're going into the biggest job, or one of the biggest jobs in the world, the scrutiny of everything you do or say or what the players do comes back on you.
"He'll need a lot more experience to jump into that hot seat to be honest.
"He'll get linked to jobs, he'll get asked to come in and interview for jobs, it's up to him what he actually wants to do," Heskey added.
"Would it be Premier League? I'm not sure but teams abroad would love Steven Gerrard as their manager or first-team coach to take them to greater heights.
"I'm surprised he dropped out for the Rangers job but we don't know the technicalities or ins and outs about what's been said and done. I think he's still got a future within coaching but it's done to what he wants to do."
Gerrard nearly returned to management in October when he held discussions with Rangers officials regarding the possibility of replacing Russell Martin, but turned down the chance of a comeback.
The 45-year-old led the Ibrox outfit to their sole Scottish Premiership triumph since 2010-11, securing the league crown in 2021.
Jurgen Klopp, who Slot succeeded in 2024, had previously backed Gerrard to follow in his footsteps during a 2019 interview, when questioned about his bond with Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish.
The German said: "Kenny and Stevie have both been a really big support from day one.
"If Liverpool were to sack me tomorrow, then maybe Kenny would be the first choice to replace me, but they would probably bring Stevie down from Glasgow.
"If you ask who should follow me, I'd say Stevie. I help him whenever I can."