Steven Gerrard gets unlikely backing for Liverpool manager's job

Former Premier League star William Gallas has backed Steven Gerrard to take over from Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager.

In case you needed reminding, Klopp is set to stand down as Reds boss at the end of the season after over eight glorious years in charge.

The 56-year-old revealed he is 'running out of energy' in a shock announcement last month, with speculation now rife as to who will succeed him at Anfield.

While Xabi Alonso is the bookies' (and fans') favourite, former Chelsea and Arsenal defender Gallas is backing another ex-Liverpool midfielder for the job... Gerrard.

Speaking to Genting Casino, the 46-year-old ex-France international said: “Steven Gerrard should replace Jurgen Klopp. He was the manager at Rangers and Aston Villa so why can’t he manage Liverpool? It’s not like he’s just started his managerial career, he has experience under his belt already. They have to give him that job.

“Liverpool fans respect Xabi Alonso, he’s had a great career and is having good results with Leverkusen but Steven Gerrard is a legend at Liverpool.”

Once seen as an inevitable future Reds coach, Gerrard's stock has nosedived in recent years and the likelihood of the legendary former captain succeeding Klopp at this stage are virtually non-existent.

After retiring as a player Gerrard managed Liverpool's Under-18s side, before moving on to lead Rangers to a Scottish league title in 2021.

Following that initial success he moved south of the border to Aston Villa, but struggled in his first Premier League gig and was sacked in 2022.

The 43-year-old is now in charge of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq (famously the club that signed Jordan Henderson last summer) and recently even signed a contract extension until 2027, despite a winless run stretching back to October.

While Gallas is a rare advocate for Gerrard, the midfielder's former assistant at Rangers and Villa Gary McAllister has admitted that Alonso's name 'jumps off the page' among the candidates.

The ex-Liverpool man told Anfield Watch: "Xabi's obviously the name with the bookies and it's the name that's there right in front of you due to the fact he's doing ever so well at Leverkusen.

"He's inexperienced but it'll be a wonderful experience if he wins the Bundesliga against the likes of Bayern and Dortmund. The only way you get experience is by doing the job.

"I don't know him really. I just missed playing with him — he came just after me — but he's a classy operator, very calm.

"When you're looking for attributes, he knows the club as well, having played there. It becomes one that does jump off the page at you."