The idea of bringing a club legend of Steven Gerrard’s stature in as Liverpool manager is romantic, but ultimately would not work.
The idea has come back into the spotlight after Gerrard discussed replacing Arne Slot in the top job at Anfield. He isn’t keen on the idea, not yet anyway.
It would be a bold appointment from FSG, who don’t typically display that kind of sentimentality with how they run the club. Gerrard is a decent manager, but there are a handful of reasons why it’s a risk not worth taking — English managers’ track record in the Premier League being one.
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Steven Gerrard of Liverpool Legends inspects the pitch prior to prior to the Legends Charity Match between Liverpool Legends and Chelsea Legends at Anfield. Eddie Howe the head coach / manager of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Newcastle United FC at Etihad Stadium.
Credit: LFC Foundation/Liverpool FC/Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images
Steven Gerrard to Liverpool is a nice idea, but we need a European brain
Liverpool are in a period of transition as an older generation of seasoned Reds makes way for the young stars who have been tasked with carrying the team forward.
It’s a pivotal moment which has the scope to determine success for the rest of the decade.
For that reason, any decision to dismiss Slot must be made with a top-level replacement in mind. As impressive as he was at Rangers, Gerrard is not a seasoned coach, nor one with a clear identity.
It’s impossible to ignore the fact that no English manager has ever won the Premier League, nor have England won a major footballing honour in 60 years.
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Where teams like Spain, Germany, and France have a clear way of playing that goes from the grassroots up, the England national team always looks like a collection of individuals rather than a fluid, well-coached team. Just look at the current head coach, Thomas Tuchel, who brings a very German way of playing to the table.
I’m not confident Gerrard will have the philosophy needed to dominate at the top level consistently. Virtually no English manager has. Looking at recent Premier League history, it was Klopp’s German efficiency and Pep’s Spanish flair that separated them from everyone else.
Steven Gerrard greets Jurgen Klopp after coming off as a substitute during the Liverpool Legends match against Borussia Dortmund
Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images
Even this season’s likely winners, with Mikel Arteta, have a clear defensive identity. It just feels like England’s standard of coaching lacks tactically when compared to their European counterparts.
It’s why someone like Xabi Alonso or Cesc Fabregas would be far better options.
Eddie Howe the most likely English manager to win the Premier League
If there is to be a homegrown Premier League-winning manager in the near future, Newcastle’s Eddie Howe looks the best bet.
He doesn’t necessarily play in one style. His tactical flexibility is actually one of his biggest strengths. For all their struggles recently, the Magpies are a well-coached outfit.
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Dominik Szoboszlai fouls Erling Haaland which resulted in a red card at the end of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester City
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Howe’s future at Newcastle is uncertain, though, and he could be next for a top job. Of all the English managers, he feels the safest bet to do well at a big club — maybe Liverpool.
Gerrard hasn’t done enough to inspire confidence in him building a formidable Premier League side. If he can get a few more years under his belt competing at a high level, then maybe we can circle back.
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