Rangers’ decision to open talks with Steven Gerrard about their vacant managerial position has left the football world split as to whether it is a good move for the Liverpool legend.
The Scottish Premiership club sacked Graeme Murty after their 5-0 hammering by Celtic and look set to appoint the 37-year-old this summer.
But Keith Andrews, speaking on Tuesday’s Off The Ball AM, feels Gerrard is risking his chances of becoming Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Anfield if his spell in Glasgow does not go to plan.
“It’s not the easy option. I would prefer him to take a job like that instead of a Championship job, which we’ve seen [after] three, six [or] nine months you’re out unless it’s right,” Andrews said.
“There are teams that have spent and spent in that Championship that got nowhere and managers have gone. And managers are left with that group of players that a [previous] manager signed – Derby being a prime example.
“They’ve had three or four managers in the last three or four years and you’re left with this group of 25 or 30 players who are on fortunes for Championship level. They’re not going to leave and there’s no room to manoeuvre.
“In terms of managing a big club – it would be a big club – and imprinting your style and showing us what you would be about as a manager.
“But of course there comes an element of risk. Unless he gets a lot closer to Celtic it’s probably going to be deemed a failure.
“It’s a big risk on his part because ultimately if he continues on this path with the U-18s, U-23s, learning the academy and maybe going to England as an assistant manager to branch out – he could be the ultimate successor to Jurgen Klopp. But maybe he’s just getting a bit of itchy feet.
“Some of the top players cannot comprehend when a player can’t do something. When a keep-ball session breaks down or when they’re trying to get a message across, you have to revisit it with the players.
“There’s a reason why players play at certain levels. It’s about the consistency that you’re able to reproduce [your best form]. That’s the issue and it’s how you manage that group. And he will have similar situation going to Rangers [because] that squad is nowhere near it.”
Written by James Hopper
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