Could Steven Gerrard replace Arne Slot? Honest Liverpool stance on taking hot seat

View 2 Images

Emile Heskey has previously said Steven Gerrard would require more experience to become Liverpool manager. The iconic Reds captain has emerged as a potential contender to succeed Arne Slot as head coach after the difficult run under the Dutchman continued.

Gerrard has been out of the dugout since January, when he left Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq. The 45-year-old has been listed as an outsider to replace the former Feyenoord manager after defeat to Nottingham Forest meant that the Premier League champions have lost six out of their last seven.

The former Liverpool midfielder has previous top-flight experience in the hotseat after spending 11 months as Aston Villa head coach.

Gerrard has long been tipped to take the reigns in the management seat at Liverpool after immortalising himself as an Anfield legend during his playing days. When asked last month whether Gerrard could still become Reds head coach in the future, Heskey admitted that his former teammate needs more experience.

He said via BetBrain : "He needs more experience. He definitely needs more experience because you’re going into the biggest job, or one of the biggest jobs in the world , the scrutiny of everything you do or say or what the players do comes back on you.

"He’ll need a lot more experience to jump into that hot seat to be honest.

“He’ll get linked to jobs, he’ll get asked to come in and interview for jobs, it’s up to him what he actually wants to do," Heskey added.

"Would it be Premier League? I’m not sure but teams abroad would love Steven Gerrard as their manager or first-team coach to take them to greater heights.

"I’m surprised he dropped out for the Rangers job but we don’t know the technicalities or ins and outs about what’s been said and done. I think he’s still got a future within coaching but it’s done to what he wants to do."

View 2 Images

Gerrard came close to returning to management in October when he spoke to Rangers chiefs over the possibility of replacing Russell Martin, but rejected the prospect of a return.

The 45-year-old guided the Ibrox side to their only Scottish Premiership success since 2010-11, when he won the league title in 2021.

Jurgen Klopp , who Slot replaced in 2024, previously tipped Gerrard to succeed him during an interview in 2019, when asked about his relationship with Liverpool icon Sir Kenny Dalglish. The German said: "Kenny and Stevie have both been a really big support from day one.

"If Liverpool were to sack me tomorrow, then maybe Kenny would be the first choice to replace me, but they would probably bring Stevie down from Glasgow.