BT Sport pundit Chris Sutton has warned Steven Gerrard against taking the Rangers job, describing it as a ‘poisoned chalice’ in charge of a team of ‘under-achievers.’
The Liverpool legend looks to be on the verge of becoming the next Ibrox boss, with widespread reports suggesting that the club have tabled an offer for him to take the job.
Sutton has now waded into the debate about the decision should Gerrard indeed replace Graeme Murty, brutally saying that his managerial career may be over before it has even begun and destroying the Rangers squad.
In a column for the Daily Record, Sutton said: “Steven Gerrard would be some appointment for the profile of Scottish football. It would add glamour. But if he has designs of being a top-level manager, why on earth would he even contemplate taking what is, in my opinion, the toughest job in world football?
“Rangers boss has to be one of the most treacherous gigs on the planet and I cannot imagine for the life of me what benefit he would see in moving to Ibrox right now. It’s an absolute nightmare. The most poisoned chalice around. No stability at the club, no leadership, no players worth much at his disposal and the task of trying to overhaul a Celtic team packed full of stars, with a burgeoning bank balance and a manager who is at the peak of his powers.
“Gerrard could finish his managerial career before it even really starts if he chooses to accept the offer made to him. The club is in a terrible state, they have a squad of under-achievers who start giving lip to a coach when things aren’t going their way, they are not very good and there are too many of them.”
OPINION
Sutton is at his rampaging best here as he assesses what would be the biggest story in Scottish football this year. In many ways he is right, with the Rangers job looking a tough ask for even the best managers in the world. It is a massive risk for Gerrard to take, with the Liverpool legend only have 18 months or so of youth coaching experience. However, the risk involved also means that the rewards would be great, and that is what Gerrard will be focusing on. Rangers are one of the biggest club teams in the world, and you don’t get the opportunity to manage a team like that very often, especially if it is your first job as manager.