Steven Gerrard is being lined up for shock managerial return, but there's opposition from players

Steven Gerrard is being lined up for a shock return to the dugout after a spell out of management.

Gerrard was sacked by Aston Villa in October after a 3-0 defeat to Fulham left the Midlands club in 17th place and flirting with relegation.

His replacement, Unai Emery, had a transformative effect on Villa and guided them to a seventh place finish which secured qualification to next season's Europa Conference League.

Gerrard has been heavily linked with a number of jobs since his dismissal but nothing materialised and he proceeded to keep himself busy by providing punditry for BT Sport.

However, The Sun say the former England captain is in the frame for the Leeds United job.

Leeds replaced Javi Gracia with Sam Allardyce in a bid to stay clear of relegation with just four games remaining but the ex England manager was unable to turn things around.

Allardyce managed to collect just one point and the Yorkshire club were relegated to the Championship on the final day after a 4-1 hammering at home to Spurs.

Image: Alamy

As reported, Leeds are set to be sold by Italian owner Andrea Radrizzani to the group who own NFL giants San Francisco 49ers, though it could still be another two weeks before a deal is done as it is unclear whether the firm want to buy him out completely.

The big decision the new US owners have though, is whether they want Allardyce to continue in the hotseat going forward.

He is believed to be keen to do so, having come out of retirement to take the job.

The players are also said to want him at the helm, having enjoyed working with him, Karl Robinson and Robbie Keane even for brief period.

Image: Alamy

Allardyce is due for talks with the top brass on Thursday and the new owners may well look to make a statement appointment.

Gerrard, who won the Scottish Premier League in stunning fashion with Rangers, would certainly be just that and is deemed to be a "possibility" to lead the Elland Road outfit next term.

Asked about offers he's had since the Villa stint in April, Gerrard told the League Managers Association Magazine: "I've been offered opportunities to manage at club and international level since I left Villa, including an exciting opportunity in an overseas league, but none have been right for me at this time.

"In the meantime, I'm enjoying being an Uber driver for my girls and my little boy."