Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has insisted that he “can’t see” Steven Gerrard wanting to leave Rangers and replace Steve Bruce as Newcastle head coach.
Gerrard has been with Rangers since 2018 and dethroned Celtic as Scottish Premiership champions last season.
The 41-year-old Liverpool legend led his side to an impressive 102 points total and finished the Scottish Premiership season without a single defeat in the league.
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Gerrard emerged as a potential favourite to become Newcastle manager after the Saudi Arabian-backed takeover of the Premier League club.
The Rangers boss’ former England teammate Frank Lampard was also linked with the Magpies, but he has reportedly ‘pulled out’ of the running for the position.
Ferdinand has claimed that it is unlikely Gerrard will succeed Bruce as he feels that the former England captain’s “eyes are on Liverpool.”
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Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE, he said: “Even Steven Gerrard, I see his name mentioned alongside the job as well. I can’t see someone like him going there because I just feel that his eyes are on Liverpool.
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“How much longer can Klopp stay at Liverpool? I mean, Klopp could be there for five more years, but easily you could see him one day, because of the character he seems to be, turn around in 18 months and say, ‘Listen, this is me.’
“So, I just see that Steven Gerrard will be looking at Liverpool as his next step rather than somewhere like Newcastle.”
Former Roma head coach Paulo Fonseca is widely tipped to succeed Bruce and is believed to be Amanda Staveley’s preferred candidate for the vacant Newcastle post.
Bruce was sacked by Newcastle on Wednesday only days after his 1,000 match as a manager, which ended in a 3-2 defeat to Tottenham at St James’ Park.
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Graeme Jones has been appointed caretaker manager and will take charge of Newcastle’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday.
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Gerrard distanced himself from the Newcastle role last week by saying he is “fully focused” on Rangers’ Scottish title defence this season.
“I don’t really react or get involved in any kind of speculation,” he said.
“Especially when there is someone who I have the utmost respect for sitting in that job that the speculation is about.
“For me, I am in a very big job here that I am fully focused on and we have a top-of-the-table clash at the weekend and it is a game I am very much looking forward to.”
Featured Image Credit: PA/Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVETopics: Rio Ferdinand, Steve Bruce, Steven Gerrard, Newcastle United, Premier League, England, Football