Charlie Nicholas: Villa job not big enough to entice Gerrard
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has been linked with the Aston Villa job, and Chris Sutton reckons he could jump at the chance to manage the Premier League side.
Celtic hero Charlie Nicholas does not agree with the former Hoops star, though, insisting the Villa Park outfit are not just big enough to lure the 41-year-old away from Ibrox.
The English top-flight side could be fighting a relegation battle all season after four straight losses left them two places and two points above the drop zone, and Nicholas reckons that would give Gerrard second thoughts.
Nicholas wrote in his Daily Express column: “I just can’t see Steven Gerrard being the villain of the piece by quitting Rangers for Aston Villa.
“Yes, the Midlands club are in the market for a new manager after sacking Dean Smith but I can’t see that being a big enough job to entice the Rangers manager back down south. I don’t think there is any merit in Gerrard even contemplating Villa.
“It has taken him time to adjust to management. He has had the patience from the Rangers fans and media and because of that he has managed to build things up at Ibrox. I have read the likes of Chris Sutton saying that Gerrard would walk out on Rangers for Aston Villa. They are in a relegation battle. Is he being serious?
“So Gerrard is going to swap winning the title with Rangers for a club that he is going to need to build up again, like he did when he first went into Ibrox? He would need to build that Villa squad up mentally as much as physically.
“It would be a kamikaze move for Gerrard to even think about it. People will argue it is a Premier League club. I don’t think Gerrard is in a rush to get to the Premier League. Why does he need to be? I don’t think he would go unless it was a club that suited him.”
Not happening
Gerrard was earlier linked with the Newcastle United job prior to Eddie Howe’s appointment, and both jobs do not appear big enough to tempt him given their current positions in the Premier League table.
Swapping the chance to win another title and guide his side to a place in the group stages of the Champions League for the first time in 11 years for a relegation battle is not particularly alluring.
Doing so midway through the campaign also looks out of the question.
Gerrard is not in a hurry to leave Rangers as he continues to hone his managerial skills, but that will not stop Premier League clubs from trying to get him.
He has impressed after stopping Celtic last term, and it is understandable if he is attracting the Villas and the Newcastles.
However, they are not Liverpool and are not just big enough to tempt him.
Sutton cannot be serious.
In other Rangers news, the Bears are plotting January swoop for teenage striking sensation, five PL clubs in pursuit too.