Steven Gerrard becomes leading contender to make shock return to management after sudden Al Ettifaq exit

Steven Gerrard is a leading contender for what would be a shock return to management after leaving Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq.

The Liverpool legend left Al Ettifaq by mutual consent in January after 18 months in charge.

The Saudi Pro League side had won only five of their 17 league matches this season at the time of Gerrard's departure, and were five points above the relegation zone.

Reports claimed that Gerrard was earning a £15 million-per-year salary after signing a contract extension with Al Ettifaq in January 2024.

But he is now one of the favourites to make a swift return to football management with a club in England.

As of Friday evening, bookmakers Coral priced him at 4/5 to replace Paul Warne as manager of struggling Championship side Derby County.

The Rams sit 22nd in the Championship after a run of seven consecutive league defeats led to Warne's sacking.

Paul Warne was sacked by Derby on Friday (Image: Getty)

They ended that streak on Saturday with a 1-1 draw at Norwich City under caretaker boss Matt Hamshaw, but Derby could have a permanent manager in place by the time they take on Oxford United at Pride Park on Tuesday.

Derby have previously employed fellow England legends Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney, and could add Gerrard to that list.

But Blackburn boss - and former Rams midfielder - John Eustace has since entered the forefront of the betting odds, with The Telegraph reporting that Rovers are 'braced' for an approach from the Derbyshire club. He is priced at 1/2 by BetVictor, with Gerrard down at 16/1 with them.

Other frontrunners for the job, according to bookmakers, are former Nottingham Forest and Leicester boss Steve Cooper and ex-Southampton head coach Russell Martin.

England U21 manager Lee Carsley - who took caretaker charge of the senior side last year ahead of the appointment of Thomas Tuchel - has also been linked, but The Sun's Alan Nixon reports that the 50-year-old has yet to be contacted by Derby chiefs over the role.

If Gerrard is appointed as the Rams' new manager, he will hope to get back on track in English football after a disappointing spell at Aston Villa.

He was sacked by Villa in October 2022 after two wins in 12 games and replaced by Unai Emery, who oversaw significant improvements and then guided the club to Champions League qualification in the 2023/24 season.