Steven Gerrard has revealed how management pressure left him in tears, as the former Liverpool captain relates to Michael Carrick's current situation at Manchester United
Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard has spoken about the pressures of managing in the Premier League(Image: (Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images))
Steven Gerrard has revealed the emotional toll that management can take, admitting he was left in tears during a difficult period in his career as he reflected on the pressure Michael Carrick is facing.
Manchester United sits 13th in the Premier League with just six points from their opening six games. A 1-1 draw with 19th-placed Tottenham was followed by a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, extending United's winless run to five matches.
On the latest episode of Stick to Football, the former Liverpool captain says Carrick needs a result against Leeds United, warning that the pressure on the United manager will only increase if his side fails to deliver.
"He needs to win at Leeds," said Gerrard. "The heat will get hotter. He needs to set an example with the Martinez situation. It is not helpful going into big games. There is no point him worrying about four or five games down the line."
Gerrard knows how quickly fortunes can change in management, recalling how a difficult run at Aston Villa left him in tears. "It does unravel in the Premier League," added the 46-year-old.
"I felt great at Aston Villa one day and three weeks later, you lose six on the spin and you are driving down the motorway in tears. It is brutal, especially if you are Manchester United.
"The key for Michael is getting a result at Leeds. If you get a broken performance that is all over the place, it is difficult to pull it back. It goes back to the conversations about characters and personalities in the dressing room."
Michael Carrick, head coach of Manchester United, greets the supporters during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between Atletico de Madrid and Manchester United
Michael Carrick is under mounting pressure at Manchester United(Image: (Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images))
Gerrard spent three and a half years at Rangers, winning the Scottish Premiership in 2021 and ending Celtic's run of nine consecutive league titles. That success earned him a move to Villa, but his first Premier League managerial role proved far more difficult.
Villa sacked Gerrard in October 2022 after just two wins in their opening 11 Premier League games of the season. He managed 13 victories in 40 matches overall, with Villa struggling near the relegation zone before his departure.
The former Liverpool captain struggled to find consistency at Villa, with the likes of Philippe Coutinho failing to deliver the improvement needed despite significant investment in the squad.
Reflecting on his experience, Gerrard previously warned that management can be far more brutal than playing, with results and confidence capable of collapsing in a matter of weeks. He urged aspiring managers to gain as much experience as possible before taking on major roles.
However, Gerrard acknowledged the dilemma facing coaches when a high-profile opportunity arises, particularly when there is no guarantee another offer will follow if they turn it down.