Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has rejected an approach from Derby County to take over as their new manager if Frank Lampard leaves for Chelsea, according to the Times.
Lampard is expected to take over as the new Chelsea boss and Derby have started looking for his replacement.
However, Gerrard has made it clear that he’s not interested as he continues his rebuild at Rangers.
The Times claims that Gerrard is looking to manage in the Premier League in the future and the former Liverpool player thinks he can achieve that without dropping into the second flight of English football.
OPINION
We think Rangers fans will be very relieved by this news, although it’s not a big surprise – either that Gerrard was approached or that he knocked them back. What is surprising is Lampard being fast-tracked into being the manager of one of the biggest clubs in Europe. He’s only been with Derby for one season and didn’t get them promoted but his deep links with the west London club are obviously enough for Chelsea to take a gamble on him. Gerrard and Lampard both took their first jobs in management at the same time last summer and with Derby willing to take a risk on Lampard last summer, moving for another young, progressive manager makes total sense. Gerrard didn’t win anything either in his first season but there is a real sense of optimism around Ibrox and Gerrard’s side finished on a high with a comprehensive 2-0 win over bitter rivals Celtic – their second consecutive home Old Firm win of the season. The gap in the Premiership might only have been whittled away slightly – from 12 to nine points – but fans will be looking for the league to be much more competitive next season, and Gerrard will want to bring at least one piece of silverware back to Ibrox, to show progression as he starts the second year of a four-year deal. Some might see Derby as a step up from Rangers but not us and not Gerrard if the Times report is accurate. However, if Gerrard has his heart set on the Liverpool job he might have to wait a lot longer than Lampard for his emotional return to the Premier League. Klopp doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere soon.