Shock move: Steven Gerrard in sensational return to England?
Carlisle considering Steven Gerrard as new manager
According to Daily Mail, Carlisle United are looking to appoint Steven Gerrard as their new head coach.
The League Two club, currently bottom of the table, sacked Mike Williamson on Monday following a string of poor results. Now, the club’s American owners are making an ambitious move to avoid relegation from the English football league system.
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Left Saudi Arabia after 18 months
Steven Gerrard, who previously managed Aston Villa and Rangers, left his position at Al-Ettifaq last week after 18 months in Saudi Arabia. This came despite signing a contract extension last year, with the decision reportedly being mutual.
The newspaper admits that it’s a long shot for Carlisle to secure Gerrard’s services, but their new owners, who took charge in November 2023, are keen to try.
Read: £82 million: Liverpool have found Van Dijk’s replacement
12 new signings in January transfer window
Carlisle have been active in the transfer market, bringing in 12 new players in an attempt to strengthen the squad. This mirrors the situation in August when the club sacked Paul Simpson just a day after the transfer window closed. Williamson, his successor, was dismissed on the final day of the current transfer period.
Despite the new arrivals, Carlisle remain five points from safety, meaning the next manager faces a massive challenge.
Read: Manchester City working on two massive transfers
Gerrard’s managerial career so far
Steven Gerrard’s first managerial role was with Rangers, where he led the club to their first Scottish league title in ten years. He then took over Aston Villa in November 2021, replacing Dean Smith, but left the club 11 months later after winning just 13 out of 40 games.
During his first season at Al-Ettifaq, a club that unlike some of its Saudi rivals does not receive government backing, he managed to finish sixth in the league. By the time he departed, the club had dropped to 12th place out of 16 teams. In total, he won 23 out of 59 matches in Saudi Arabia.
Whether Carlisle can pull off this surprise appointment remains to be seen, but if successful, it would be one of the most unexpected managerial moves in English football this season.
