Leeds United could now appoint an interim manager until the summer as Steven Gerrard is showing reservations on the vacancy. But he is interested in taking charge at Southampton.
That is according to the Daily Mail, which reports Gerrard is hesitant about replacing Jesse Marsch as Leeds’ next manager. The Elland Road club are still searching for the Americans’ replacement a week after his sacking. So, they may now name just a caretaker head coach.
Alfred Schreuder emerged as the latest favourite to take over the Whites’ vacant hot seat. But Leeds are no longer considering the Dutchman and have turned to alternative options as the search goes on. Nuno Espirito Santo and Gary McAllister are among the candidates.
Leeds have considered naming Gerrard as their next manager to replace Marsch with the 42-year-old out of work. Aston Villa fired the former Rangers boss in October after just 11 months in charge. The Villans sacked him with the team only 17th in the Premier League.
Aston Villa had won just two of their 11 games under Gerrard this season, alongside three draws. The Birmingham outfit had also only scored seven goals to 16 conceded during the matches he oversaw. Yet the Villans now sit 11th in the table with Unai Emery at the helm.
Leeds may have to fight Southampton to name Gerrard as their next manager
But while Leeds have considered Gerrard as an option to become their next manager, the Liverpool legend has reservations about replacing Marsch. The Whites sit 17th in the table after 22 games having won just four times. They have also conceded 38 to 28 goals scored.
Gerrard, though, is open to replacing Nathan Jones as the next manager of Southampton, according to 90min. It reports that the 114-cap former England international would like to take charge at St Mary’s. His agent has also approached the Saints to register his interest.
The south coast side are now seeking their third head coach of the term after firing Jones on Sunday. The 49-year-old replaced Ralph Hasenhuttl in November but only oversaw one win in eight Premier League games. They also only scored six times to 16 goals conceded.
So, Leeds may have to battle Southampton to name Gerrard as their next manager should the Saints show an interest. Despite his time at Aston Villa not working out, Pep Guardiola hailed what he achieved during his time at Rangers after winning the 2020/21 Premiership.
“I’m happy he is doing a good job,” Guardiola said, via quotes by the Daily Mail. “He did an incredible job at Rangers, he broke [nine] leagues of Celtic in a row. When you see these [Aston Villa] games, you know there are ideas behind it.”
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