Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard surprise favourite for Premier League job

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard is being tipped for a return to management in the Premier League.

Gerrard, 42, has been without a role since being sacked by Aston Villa in October.

The former Rangers boss lasted just 11 months as manager at Villa Park before being dismissed following a 3-0 defeat to Fulham.

Villa appointed former Arsenal boss Unai Emery as Gerrard's replacement and the Spaniard has overseen a remarkable upturn in form.

Villa are now sixth in the Premier League and have an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League after winning their last four league matches.

Since leaving Villa, Gerrard claims to have been offered "exciting" opportunities to return to management both domestically and abroad.

"You have to reset, wait and be patient for the fire and fight to return," he told the League Managers Association.

"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."

Gerrard favourite to replace Cooper at Forest

Gerrard has now emerged as the leading candidate to replace Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper.

Despite guiding Forest to promotion last season, Cooper now finds himself under immense pressure with the club 18th in the table, and only eight matches remaining to save their season.

Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis, has warned results and performances must "improve immediately", with the club forced to issue a statement denying Cooper had been sacked amid speculation over his future.

According to Sky Bet, former Liverpool captain Gerrard is favourite to replace Cooper, should he be dismissed.

Gerrard has been given odds of 3/1 to be the next permanent Forest boss, with former Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira (5/1) and ex-Argentina and Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli (6/1) also among the favourites.

Forest next host Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday before taking on Gerrard's former side Liverpool the following Saturday.