Dan Bardell has been speaking on the latest episode of The Totally Football Show podcast to discuss the sacking of Dean Smith as the Aston Villa manager.
It was announced on Sunday that the Villans had parted ways with Smith on the back of their fifth straight Premier League defeat, which came against Southampton on Friday night.
Would Gerrard be a good appointment?
Yes
No
The Villa correspondent was discussing his knowledge on the current situation as to who could be in line to replace Smith following his three-year tenure.
Two names that have immediately risen to the surface in the search to replace Smith have been Steven Gerrard and Roberto Martinez.
Speaking about the situation at Villa Park, Bardell had the following to say on who he believes is the leading contender at this early stage.
“I know who I think they might go for. I think everything is pointing towards Steven Gerrard. This was one of the other things, though, about Dean Smith leaving – I don’t see that there’s an obvious, dead-cert, obvious upgrade out there.
“I don’t see that there’s that manager you can say, ‘yeah, he’s going to come in, he’s a step up, he’s going to improve us’. I look at that list, and there’s good managers on there, but I don’t think there’s anyone who’s a noticeable step up on Dean Smith.”
TIF Thoughts on Gerrard to Villa…
We find this a really interesting debate as to whether Gerrard would leave the side top of the Scottish Premiership to join a Villa side currently struggling in the Premier League.
Gerrard has been tipped as Liverpool’s replacement for when Jurgen Klopp eventually leaves the club, however, we question whether he would need to prove himself in the Premier League first to be in contention for the potential Anfield job.
Does Gerrard feel he has shown enough in the Scottish top flight, or does he feel the necessity to take a job in the Premier League to show the Reds he is able to cut it in the top tier of English football?
If so, we think Villa could make a great opportunity for Gerrard to cut his teeth in the English game having only ever shown his worth in Scotland to date.
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