Chris Sutton: Gerrard would leave Rangers for Villa if offered job
Chris Sutton believes Rangers boss Steven Gerrard would not reject a chance to manage Aston Villa if offered the job.
Dean Smith is under pressure after four straight defeats in the Premier League, and a fan called into BBC 5 Live Sport after the Villans lost 4-1 to West Ham on Sunday to recommend the Bears manager for the job.
While Robbie Savage doubted whether Gerrard would leave Rangers for Villa, Sutton insisted the Liverpool legend would not hesitate to do so if an opportunity presents itself.
The Villa fan said (as shared on the station’s Twitter account): “I think it’s time to change the manager.
“He’s taken us as far as he’s going to. He’s not going to get us in the top seven. At this rate he’s not going to get us into the top 10.
“I love Dean Smith, I look at him as the Messiah for getting us back to the Premier League. But it’s time to take it in a direction and bring in someone else.”
Savage: “Like who?”
Fan: “I would personally go for Steven Gerrard.”
Savage: “Why would he leave Rangers to go to Villa?”
Fan: “A Premier League opportunity at a big club.”
Savage: “Bigger than Rangers?”
Fan: “Are we bigger than Rangers? (makes uncertain noises)
Sutton: “Steven Gerrard would take the Villa job, Rob.”
Savage: “Would he? Do you think he would?”
Sutton: “If he was offered the job he would.”
Savage: “Really?”
Sutton: “Yeah, I think so.”
Laughable
Sutton never hesitates to wind up Rangers fans, and this is definitely another attempt to do exactly that.
Gerrard is currently being linked with Newcastle United, and while moving to St. James’ Park could be tempting given their current financial status, the same thing cannot be said about Villa.
The Midlands outfit often spend in the transfer window, but they are not bigger than the Scottish Premiership champions are not as attractive as a Liverpool or Newcastle.
Tottenham Hotspur could soon part ways with Nuno Espirito Santo if he fails to quickly turn things around, and the Rangers boss will definitely be linked with the Spurs managerial job if it becomes available this term.
The 41-year-old has done a good job since taking charge of the Ibrox outfit, and it is not surprising to see him being recommended by fans and pundits for jobs in the English top-flight even before they become available.
Sutton would love to see him leave Scotland without a doubt after Celtic’s struggles of recent, but it would take more than Villa to lure Gerrard away.
In other Rangers news, Kenny Miller has dropped the eight-figure fee the Bears must demand to sell star man after big development.