Pundit View: Steven Gerrard doesn’t deserve EFL job despite rumours I’ve heard about ex-Rangers boss

Steven Gerrard is once again being linked with a return to football management, but the latest rumours have opened an important debate about whether the former Rangers manager is the right person for another major job in English football. With Wrexham reportedly considering their options amid pressure on current manager Phil Parkinson, Gerrard’s name has emerged as one of the possible candidates. However, not everyone believes the former Liverpool captain should be the man to take charge.

Football pundit Tony Cascarino has questioned whether Wrexham would be the right destination for Gerrard, even while acknowledging that the former Rangers boss deserves another opportunity to prove himself as a manager. The distinction matters. Gerrard has enjoyed a major success in Scotland, but his subsequent spells at Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq have raised questions about whether he can reproduce that success in a different football environment. [Source: talkSPORT](https://talksport.com/football/4649941/steven-gerrard-wrexham-manager-phil-parkinson/).

For Gerrard, this is a familiar position. His reputation as one of Liverpool’s greatest modern players continues to attract attention, and his achievements at Rangers remain an important part of his managerial story. Yet a new appointment would not be decided by what he achieved as a player or by the excitement surrounding his name. It would depend on what a club needs, what he has learned from his previous jobs and whether both sides believe they can work together successfully.

The rumours surrounding Wrexham have created an interesting conversation because the club has its own identity, ambitions and expectations. The Welsh side have enjoyed a remarkable rise through the English football divisions under Parkinson, and the club’s owners have invested heavily in turning that progress into a lasting project. A managerial change, if one eventually happens, would therefore be a major decision.

Gerrard’s name is attractive because he has managed at a high level and experienced both the rewards and the difficulties of the job. But there is a difference between being a recognisable appointment and being the best fit for a particular team. That is the central question behind the latest debate.

## Why Steven Gerrard’s name has returned to the headlines

Gerrard has been without a managerial position since leaving Al-Ettifaq in January 2025. His departure from the Saudi Pro League club came by mutual consent after approximately 18 months in charge. The club had struggled for consistent league results during the 2024–25 campaign, and the decision brought his latest managerial chapter to an end. [Source: BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cx2pyer4d14o).

Since then, attention has regularly turned towards what he might do next. His experience at Rangers made him a serious name in management, while his status as a Liverpool legend means his possible return to the dugout is likely to attract considerable interest.

The latest Wrexham reports have added another possibility to the discussion. Reports have suggested that Gerrard could be open to the opportunity if the position became available, while Scott Parker has also been mentioned in connection with the situation. However, speculation about possible candidates is not the same as an official approach, an agreement or a confirmed appointment. [Source: talkSPORT](https://talksport.com/football/4646938/steven-gerrard-wrexham-role-phil-parkinson-scott-parker/).

That distinction should not be ignored. Managers are linked with jobs whenever a club experiences a difficult run, but clubs must consider far more than a candidate’s reputation. They have to examine tactical ideas, recruitment plans, relationships with players, financial expectations and the ability to deliver results under pressure.

Gerrard would bring experience and a strong public profile. Whether those qualities would translate into success at Wrexham is a separate question.

## Rangers remains the strongest argument in Gerrard’s favour

Any fair assessment of Gerrard’s managerial career must begin with his time at Rangers.

When he arrived in 2018, Rangers were attempting to rebuild their position in Scottish football and challenge Celtic’s domestic dominance. The club had experienced difficult years, and expectations remained high among supporters who wanted to see Rangers return to the top of the Premiership.

Gerrard inherited a demanding role. Rangers needed more consistency, stronger performances in important matches and a team capable of competing across domestic and European competitions. His appointment also attracted significant attention because he was moving into management after a celebrated playing career at Liverpool.

His early seasons involved rebuilding and gradual progress rather than immediate domination. Rangers improved, became more competitive and continued developing their squad. European football also became an important part of their progress, giving the team opportunities to test itself against opponents from different leagues.

The major breakthrough arrived in the 2020–21 season.

Rangers won the Scottish Premiership title without losing a league match, ending Celtic’s attempt to secure a tenth consecutive championship. It was a significant achievement for the club and one that established Gerrard as a manager capable of delivering a major trophy.

That season remains the clearest evidence that Gerrard can lead a team through a long campaign and handle the pressure of a title race. Winning a league requires more than a strong starting eleven. It demands consistency, preparation, squad management and the ability to respond when opponents attempt to derail a team’s momentum.

Rangers demonstrated those qualities during their title-winning campaign.

Gerrard also helped restore belief among supporters who had waited years to see their club reclaim the championship. His team combined defensive organisation with attacking quality and maintained a level of performance that made them difficult to stop.

For anyone arguing that Gerrard deserves another managerial opportunity, this achievement is difficult to dismiss. He has already shown that he can build a successful team and deliver a major result in a high-pressure environment.

However, the challenge for his next employer would be determining how much of that success can be repeated elsewhere.

Rangers had their own circumstances, resources, supporters and footballing culture. A different club will have different strengths and weaknesses. What worked at Ibrox cannot simply be copied and expected to produce the same outcome.

## Why the Aston Villa spell remains part of the debate

Gerrard’s move to Aston Villa in November 2021 offered him an opportunity to prove himself in the Premier League.

It was a major step because English football’s top division presents a different challenge from the Scottish Premiership. The competition is intense, the quality of opposition is high and the margin for error can be small. Managers must also deal with the pressure created by expensive squads, demanding supporters and ambitious club owners.

Gerrard arrived with considerable expectations. His success at Rangers had helped establish him as one of the promising young managers in British football, and Villa hoped he could guide the club towards greater consistency and progress.

The results, however, did not develop as hoped.

Villa struggled to maintain the required level of performance, and Gerrard left the club in October 2022 after a difficult start to the 2022–23 season. His departure showed how quickly circumstances can change for a manager who has arrived with a strong reputation.

It also created questions about his tactical approach and his ability to find solutions when a team is not performing.

Those questions are relevant to any future appointment. A club considering Gerrard would want to understand what went wrong at Villa and what he would do differently if faced with similar problems again.

But one unsuccessful spell should not automatically end a manager’s career. Football management is full of examples of coaches who struggled at one club before finding a better fit elsewhere. The important issue is whether they learn from their experiences and adapt.

Gerrard’s time at Villa therefore provides both a warning and a possible learning opportunity. It highlights the difficulties he encountered in the Premier League, but it does not prove that he cannot improve or succeed in another environment.

For Wrexham, the relevant question would be whether their leadership believes Gerrard has the right ideas and approach for the club’s particular needs.

## Al-Ettifaq did not provide the fresh start he wanted

After leaving Aston Villa, Gerrard returned to management with Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia in 2023.

The move offered a different environment and another chance to demonstrate his ability to build a competitive side. Yet the spell did not produce the sustained success that either Gerrard or the club would have wanted.

Al-Ettifaq’s results were inconsistent, and Gerrard eventually left by mutual consent in January 2025. The departure meant that his two managerial jobs following Rangers had both ended before he could establish a long-term project.

That record inevitably becomes part of the conversation whenever a new opportunity is discussed.

Clubs rarely assess managers solely on their most successful season. They examine the full career, including the difficult periods, the decisions made under pressure and the ability to respond when results decline.

Gerrard’s Rangers achievement remains impressive, but the Villa and Al-Ettifaq experiences raise legitimate questions about consistency.

A potential employer would need to consider whether those problems came from circumstances specific to the clubs, limitations in Gerrard’s approach or a combination of several factors. Without access to the full internal picture, it would be unfair to claim that one explanation accounts for everything.

What is clear is that his next appointment would be an opportunity to demonstrate that he has learned from those experiences.

A successful return would help change the conversation around his career. Another difficult spell, however, would increase scrutiny of his managerial methods and decision-making.

That is why the choice of club matters so much.

## Does Gerrard deserve an EFL opportunity?

The word “deserve” is at the heart of the debate, but football appointments are not rewards handed out for a famous playing career.

Gerrard has a strong footballing background, experience at several clubs and a major league title on his managerial record. Those achievements make it understandable that clubs might consider him for another job.

At the same time, a club’s supporters are entitled to ask whether his recent record justifies the appointment. They want to know what he would bring to the team, how he would improve performances and whether his plans match the club’s ambitions.

The EFL is not a simple place for a manager to rebuild a reputation. The Championship, in particular, is a demanding competition with a packed schedule, physical matches, financial differences between clubs and intense pressure to collect points.

A manager entering that environment must be prepared for a different set of challenges. A recognisable name may generate excitement, but it cannot guarantee results.

Gerrard’s experience could help him. He has worked with players at different levels, experienced pressure at major clubs and managed a title-winning side. He also understands what it means to work in a football culture where supporters expect their team to compete for success.

Those qualities could make him an interesting candidate for the right club.

However, his recent record means that a prospective employer would also need to examine the weaknesses exposed during his later appointments. It would be reasonable to ask how he plans to improve his tactical flexibility, how he would manage difficult runs and what kind of squad he needs to make his football work.

That is not the same as saying he should never manage again. It means that any appointment should be based on a convincing plan rather than reputation alone.

## Why Wrexham would be a complicated destination

Wrexham’s situation makes the discussion especially interesting.

The club’s recent rise has been extraordinary, with successive promotions taking them from the National League into the Championship. That progress has attracted international attention and created expectations that the team can continue moving forward.

Parkinson has played a central role in that journey. He has guided the club through several demanding campaigns and helped build a team capable of competing at progressively higher levels.

The current season has brought a more difficult challenge. Reports on 16 October 2026 described Wrexham as sitting 17th after ten Championship matches, with two wins, five draws and three defeats. The run has placed Parkinson under scrutiny, although the club’s progress under him remains an important part of the wider picture. [Source: talkSPORT](https://talksport.com/football/4646938/steven-gerrard-wrexham-role-phil-parker/).

A difficult start does not automatically mean a manager must be dismissed. Newly promoted teams and ambitious clubs can experience periods when results do not match expectations. The key issue is whether the performances suggest that progress is possible and whether the club’s leadership remains confident in the existing plan.

For Wrexham, replacing Parkinson would be a major decision because of his contribution to the club’s rise. Any successor would inherit not only a squad and a league position but also the expectations created by the club’s recent success.

Gerrard would need to understand that context. He could not rely on his name to win over supporters indefinitely. The team would need to perform, and his decisions would be judged against the club’s ambitions.

There would also be questions about how his preferred style of football would suit the available players. Managers often arrive with clear ideas about pressing, possession and attacking movement, but those ideas only work when the squad has the right qualities and enough time to learn the system.

Wrexham’s recruitment strategy, budget and long-term plans would therefore be central to any potential appointment.

The club would need more than a headline-grabbing name. It would need a manager whose methods match its immediate needs and longer-term objectives.

## What Gerrard would have to prove

If Gerrard returns to management, the most important task will be demonstrating that his success at Rangers was not an isolated high point.

He would need to show that he can build a team capable of performing consistently, respond effectively to setbacks and adapt his methods when opponents find ways to counter them.

His next job would also require clear communication with players and the club’s leadership. A manager must establish trust, explain selection decisions and keep a squad focused during difficult periods. Those responsibilities become especially important when a club is under pressure to achieve promotion or avoid relegation.

Another challenge would be recruitment. Successful managers understand the type of player needed for their system and work closely with the club to identify suitable targets. They also need to make the best use of the players already available rather than relying entirely on new signings.

Gerrard’s next employer would want to know how he intends to create a balanced squad and what adjustments he would make if the original plan did not work.

There is also the question of patience. Building a successful team takes time, but clubs cannot ignore poor results indefinitely. A manager must find ways to improve performances while developing a longer-term identity.

Gerrard has already experienced both sides of that challenge. At Rangers, he had the time to develop his team and eventually delivered the league title. At Aston Villa, the results did not provide enough reason for the club to continue with the project.

The lesson for his next appointment is that progress must be visible and sustainable.

## The argument against appointing him

Those who oppose the idea of Gerrard taking the Wrexham job can point to the uncertainty surrounding his recent managerial record.

His title-winning achievement at Rangers is significant, but his later departures from Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq suggest that he has not yet established a consistent record of success across different clubs and competitions.

A club facing pressure in the Championship might prefer a manager with recent experience of the division, a clear understanding of its demands and a record of delivering results with a similar squad.

That would be a reasonable recruitment argument. It would not necessarily mean Gerrard lacks the ability to succeed, but it would mean that the club has to compare his profile with the other available candidates.

A manager’s reputation can attract attention, but the wrong appointment can create additional problems. If a club changes direction without a clear plan, it risks losing valuable time while a new manager attempts to implement different ideas.

Wrexham would need to be certain that any prospective replacement could work with the squad, understand the club’s ambitions and improve the team’s performances.

The club would also have to consider whether the appointment would represent a genuine footballing decision or simply a move likely to attract headlines.

Those are important questions for any high-profile candidate, not just Gerrard.

## The argument in Gerrard’s favour

There is also a strong case for allowing Gerrard another opportunity.

Managers develop through experience, and setbacks can reveal weaknesses that are difficult to identify during successful periods. Gerrard has experienced the pressure of competing for major honours, the demands of the Premier League and the challenge of working in a different football environment.

His Rangers title remains evidence that he can lead a team to a significant achievement. His career also shows that he has worked in environments where the expectations are high and scrutiny is constant.

At 46, he has time to develop as a manager. His previous disappointments do not automatically mean that he has reached the limit of his potential.

A carefully chosen job could provide the right conditions for a return. That might mean a club with a clear sporting structure, a squad suited to his approach and leadership willing to give the project time while still demanding progress.

It would also help if Gerrard could explain what he learned from his previous appointments. Supporters and club executives would want to hear how his methods have developed and why his next project would be different.

A convincing answer to those questions could make him a serious candidate.

Cascarino’s reported position reflects this distinction: Gerrard can merit another chance without Wrexham necessarily being the right destination. [Source: talkSPORT](https://talksport.com/football/4649941/steven-gerrard-wrexham-manager-phil-parkinson/).

## A decision that must be about football

The discussion surrounding Gerrard highlights a wider truth about football management: a famous name can open doors, but it cannot remove the demands of the job.

Wrexham’s leadership would need to decide what the club requires at this particular moment. If it wants a manager with recent Championship experience, that would be a key factor in the recruitment process. If it prioritises a different tactical approach or a longer-term development plan, those requirements would also shape the shortlist.

Gerrard would need to convince the club that he can deliver what it needs.

The same standard should apply to every candidate. Past success deserves recognition, but it should not outweigh the practical questions that determine whether an appointment makes sense.

The current rumours are interesting, but they remain rumours. Until Wrexham or Gerrard makes an official announcement, there is no basis for treating the link as a confirmed move.

For now, the debate is about suitability rather than certainty.

## Final verdict

Steven Gerrard’s managerial career contains both a major success and two difficult chapters. His work at Rangers culminated in an unbeaten league title campaign that will remain a defining achievement. His spells at Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq, however, showed that reproducing that success is not straightforward.

That mixed record explains why his possible return has attracted both support and criticism.

The argument that Gerrard should not automatically be handed the Wrexham job has merit. A club in the Championship must select its manager according to its needs, not simply because a candidate is famous or has previously won a major trophy.

But it would also be premature to conclude that Gerrard does not deserve another opportunity anywhere in the EFL. His achievements at Rangers, experience across different football environments and opportunity to learn from previous setbacks all remain relevant.

The real question is whether he can identify the right project and persuade a club that he has a clear plan for making it successful.

For Wrexham, that decision would have to be about more than headlines. For Gerrard, a return to management would be a chance to demonstrate that he can learn from the past and build something sustainable.

Until a position becomes available and a club makes its intentions clear, supporters should treat the speculation cautiously. Gerrard’s next move could become an important moment in his managerial career, but the right appointment will depend on footballing reasons rather than reputation alone.