Management
Moving into the dugout is a logical step for many former players, and Gerrard has already given a strong indication that he plans to pursue his management ambitions. He is working towards his Uefa A coaching licence and held talks recently over the vacant MK Dons job, before admitting that the opportunity had come just a bit too soon for him.
Liverpool supporters would no doubt love to see him take the Anfield reins at some point in the future, while other clubs could come calling for him first. There is also a good chance that he might decide to work his way up to taking a manager’s role and would prefer to start as an assistant somewhere, although Paddy Power’s odds of 100/1 on his next permanent job being in charge of the Reds’ arch rivals Everton are likely to tempt only the cheekiest of punters.
- Next Permanent Job (Paddy Power odds): Celtic assistant manager 5/1, Liverpool assistant manager 6/1, Sunderland manager 7/1, MK Dons manager 8/1, Liverpool manager 14/1, England assistant manager 16/1, Chelsea manager 33/1
Presenting or Punditry
Gary Neville would probably agree that it’s a much easier job to sit in a TV studio and offer opinions about football rather than try to influence matches as a manager, and Gerrard has been tipped to follow the long line of former professionals who have gone into punditry or presenting.
There may already be a glut of Premier League has-beens hogging our screens, endlessly spouting inane cliches or struggling to construct coherent sentences, but that will not stop the top broadcasters from looking for new recruits. Gerrard’s experience would at least ensure he commands the respect of viewers and players, and it would be no surprise to see him become part of the Match of the Day furniture.
- Next Permanent Job (Paddy Power odds): Permanent presenter on Monday Night Football 3/1, Permanent presenter on Match of the Day 3/1
Going out of his Comfort Zone
It may be far-fetched to think that Gerrard will try something completely different, but with Donald Trump president-elect of the USA and Ed Balls starring on Strictly Come Dancing, perhaps anything is possible. Paddy Power has odds of 66/1 that Gerrard will find his way into the Celebrity Big Brother house, just as former Liverpool man Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock did a few years ago, and maybe it was Luis Figo’s short-lived bid to become FIFA president that has persuaded the bookmaker to offer odds of 200/1 on Gerrard running world football’s governing body.
- Next Permanent Job (Paddy Power odds): Celebrity Big Brother contestant 66/1, head of FIFA 200/1, head of UEFA 200/1, Sepp Blatter’s agent 200/1, Host of Great British Bake Off 200/1, to star in Benefit Street on Channel 4 500/1.
*Please note, odds may fluctuate.
