‘I’d be surprised’: Pundit thinks former teammate will snub Aston Villa job

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Danny Murphy says he’d be “very surprised” to see former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard turn his back on Rangers to become Aston Villa manager, speaking to talkSPORT (8 November, 10am). 

Almost three years ago, Brendan Rodgers left Celtic in the lurch, walking away after being offered the chance to rebuild his Premier League reputation at Leicester City. 

Would Gerrard be tempted to do the same?

The 41-year-old, who led Rangers to their first Scottish Premiership title in a decade last term, winning 32 of 38 league games along the way, distanced himself from speculation regarding the vacant Newcastle United post a month ago, pointing out he’s already under contract at a very big club (BBC).

And Murphy, who played alongside Gerrard for Liverpool and England, expects the former Anfield skipper to repeat the phrase if contacted by Aston Villa, who sacked Dean Smith yesterday following five successive defeats.

Would Steven Gerrard leave Rangers to become manager of Aston Villa?

“(I’ve heard) nothing as of now – but I’d be very surprised if he was to leave Rangers to go to Villa,” says Murphy, highlighting the fact Gerrard is at a club playing regular European football and fighting for silverware every season. 

“Not that Villa’s not a great club! But there’s only so far you can take Villa. The ceiling is low. It doesn’t matter what they’ve spent (on transfers), I’m talking about from Gerrard’s perspective. 

“His mentality suggests he wants to be at the top of the tree, competing to win leagues, Champions Leagues and European trophies. At Rangers, he’s trying to win titles, he’s in the Europa League and, as I’ve said before, his ultimate ambition would be to manage Liverpool. 

“Is there another stepping stone between Rangers and Liverpool? I’m not so sure there is.

“If Stevie is presented with the opportunity by Villa, (it would depend on) what their ambition is, what funds, the autonomy he would have.”  

Gerrard is understood to be a firm favourite of Villa chief executive Christian Purslow – a former Liverpool director – while Belgium boss Roberto Martinez is also in contention. 

Kasper Hjulmand has been linked too but, according to Sky Sports, the current Denmark and former Mainz and Nordsjaelland coach is considered an “outside” candidate at this stage.