Steven Gerrard open to Championship role with ex-England teammate’s job under threat

Scott Parker’s future at Burnley is in the balance following Premier League relegation and Steven Gerrard could be in contention to replace him, talkSPORT understands.

Discussions between Parker and the Clarets’ hierarchy are ongoing as to whether he carries on beyond the end of the season, after their immediate return to the Championship was sealed.

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However, there is a strong possibility Parker leaves Turf Moor amicably.

The former Fulham boss took charge of Burnley in July 2024, and guided them to Premier League promotion in his first season.

But they have since been relegated straight back down to the second tier after defeat to Manchester City last Wednesday with four games remaining this season.

If Parker does depart, Burnley could turn to Wales boss Craig Bellamy, who remains highly regarded from his time at Vincent Kompany‘s assistant.

Steven Gerrard is also keen to return to the dugout and understood to be open to the possibility of a Championship job.

Gerrard is now tax-exempt from his time in Saudi Arabia, having been required to remain outside of the country for a full tax year following his departure from Al Ettifaq in January 2025.

He is no longer contracted to Al Ettifaq having stayed on after his departure as a consultant.

The Liverpool legend has not managed in English football since he was sacked by Aston Villa after less than a year in charge in 2022.

After his ill-fated Villa spell, Gerrard moved onto Al Ettifaq, who he left last year, while he previously led Rangers to Scottish Premiership glory in 2021.

Despite a near four-year absence from these shores, he has been continually linked with a number of jobs in the UK.

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Long tipped as a future Liverpool manager, Gerrard was previously touted as a potential candidate to take over as interim boss this season, if Arne Slot were to be sacked before its completion.

The 45-year-old later shut down talk of this, while he had also looked set to return to Rangers in October, before opting against it.

Gerrard tipped for Lampard route

One man who would approve of Gerrard taking charge at Turf Moor is ex-Newcastle and Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew.

On talkSPORT’s ‘Final Word’, Pardew discussed an upcoming summer of upheaval, with the potential for a managerial merry-go-round.

Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola are already confirmed departures, while speculation is growing over under-pressure managers, as well as those currently without jobs, namely Xabi Alonso, Enzo Maresca and Thomas Frank.

Also among the latter crowd is Gerrard, who Pardew tipped to be given a second chance in the Premier League.

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He said: “I think Stevie Gerrard’s a good take for the Premier League.”

However, in the next breath, Padrew then claimed Gerrard could tread a similar path to ex-England teammate Frank Lampard, who has guided Coventry to Premier League promotion.

Pardew continued: “When you look at Frank Lampard, what he’s done, I think Stevie Gerrard could do that somewhere, too.”

Burnley would be the ideal opportunity for Gerrard to do just that, who will be targeting an immediate return to the top-flight next year.

Gerrard’s only previous managerial experience in England came at Aston Villa, where he lasted just 40 games before being sacked.

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