Steven Gerrard is emerging as one of the favourites to take over as manager of Leeds United but former England team-mate Danny Murphy wonders if the recently-relegated outfit would have been better off retaining Sam Allardyce instead.
According to The Athletic, there is a feeling from those close to the ex-Aston Villa and Rangers boss that Steven Gerrard now stands a pretty good chance of getting the nod at Elland Road.
The 41-year-old has a number of long-term admirers at Leeds United.
And while Gerrard’s reputation may have taken a beating during 11 rather disappointing months at Villa Park, it should not be forgotten that – just two years ago – he led Rangers to their only Scottish Premiership title in a decade, accumulating over 100 points along the way while losing none of their 38 league matches.
But Murphy, who played alongside Gerrard for both Liverpool and England, wonders if a man who has never before coached in England’s famously competitive second-tier is really the right man to guide the Yorkshire giants back to the promised land at the first time of asking.
Will Steven Gerrard become Leeds United’s new manager?
“I am not so sure (if Gerrard is the right man),” Murphy tells talkSPORT (7 June, 11am). “The problem you’ve got with Stevie is that he hasn’t manged in the Championship. That, first and foremost, is a problem because it’s a difficult league.
“I would be looking for someone who knows how to get out of the Championship. I’d have kept Sam!”
“I think I would be personally looking for someone who has been there and done it. If you don’t go back first time, you are in trouble. You are going to lose one or two (of your best players).”
Allardyce’s departure was confirmed last week; the veteran firefighter failing to quell the blaze and keep Leeds in the Premier League after winning none of his four matches in charge.
‘His philosophy suits Leeds’
Murphy’s argument, however, ignores the fact that Nuno Espirito Santo, Marcelo Bielsa, Marco Silva and Vincent Kompany all won the Championship title despite never managing before in the competition.
What’s more, Gerrard’s high-pressing, all-action style could suit a squad largely built in Bielsa’s – and then Jesse Marsch’s – image.
“Stevie wants to play on the front foot and press. He had success at Rangers doing it. His next job needs to be a team where he can play that way,” Murphy adds.
“If Leeds had stayed in the Prem by the skin of their teeth, I don’t think going in there and playing the football he wants would have been ideal. They would get hammered.
“But in the Championship, he should go that way. His philosophy suits what Leeds want to do next season.”
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