Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is reportedly being lined up for an immediate return to club management less than a week after leaving Al-Ettifaq.
The 44-year-old confirmed his departure from Saudi Arabia last Thursday, 18 months after taking over at Al-Ettifaq.
“After careful consideration, the club and I have mutually agreed to part ways,” Gerrard said via a statement released on social media. ”This was not an easy decision, but sometimes in football, things don't work out as planned. The Saudi Pro League is a tough and competitive league, and I have nothing but respect for the players and staff who give their all every day.”
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According to the Daily Mail, Gerrard is being considered by Carlisle’s owners as it looks for a replacement for Mike Williamson. The side who currently sits bottom of League Two dismissed ex- Newcastle United defender Williamson on Monday morning, with Gerrard identified as an ‘unlikely prospect’ to replace him.
The report adds Gerrard being appointed is seen as a ‘long shot’ but he has been approached by Carlisle’s U.S. owners.
Gerrard’s only previous experience managing in England came with Aston Villa when he managed just under a year at the Midlands club following the sacking of Dean Smith in November 2021. Gerrard was dismissed after a poor start to the following campaign which saw Villa sitting 17th in the table in October. Unai Emery’s subsequent success at Villa Park has underlined how disappointing Gerrard’s tenure was.
The ex-midfielder began his coaching career at Liverpool’s Kirkby academy before moving to take the lead job at Rangers in June 2018. He led the club to a first league title in a decade in 2021, courtesy of a 102-point campaign.
After Villa, a move to Saudi Arabia allowed Gerrard to relaunch his managerial career and, following a sixth-place finish in his first campaign, he left Al-Ettifaq in 12th last week.
As for Carlisle, the sacking of Williamson was its second of the season, with Paul Simpson also dismissed in August. Ian Evatt, who was recently fired as Bolton Wanderers coach, has been linked with the vacant position. Carlisle was beaten 5-1 at home by Swindon Town on Saturday and has lost five of its last six games.
