Norwich City warned against Steven Gerrard decision - "I would say no" | OneFootball

Norwich City are on the hunt for a new head coach after sacking Liam Manning

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Norwich City are on the hunt for a new manager after sacking Liam Manning following a difficult start to the season.

It was the third Championship vacancy to arrive in recent weeks, with Will Still also removed from his post at Southampton, and Rob Edwards heading to Wolverhampton Wanderers from Middlesbrough, before Alan Sheehan left Swansea City.

Scottish side Rangers have also been on the hunt for a new boss, and before appointing ex-Sheffield Wednesday man Danny Rohl, they came “very close” to reappointing Steven Gerrard.

With the Liverpool legend clearly, therefore, open to discussing new opportunities, he has been added to the bookies’ lists as a potential successor at Norwich.

We asked our Norwich fan pundit, Zeke Downes, whether he’d be open to his club opting for Gerrard.

Steven Gerrard not the right fit for Norwich City

Speaking to Football League World, Zeke said: “Steven Gerrard is not really one that I've thought about.

“I know that he is on the list of potentials, but there's no way that he would want to drop down to the Championship now.

“Obviously, he's had some time with Aston Villa, and it didn't go that well, but then he did alright at Rangers, and they wanted him back.

“But he's been in Saudi, I believe, and it sounds like he enjoyed it, but he will obviously want to come back, probably to England again.

“I don't know. It's one that is a risk because it didn't go very well at Aston Villa.

“So, you sort of need to have a guy who's done pretty well in England.

“So personally, I would say no to Steven Gerrard.”

Aston Villa stint may make Championship gig necessary

As Zeke says, Gerrard’s stint in England with Villa left a lot to be desired, and hasn’t aged much better given what his successor, Unai Emery, has come in and done.

For that reason, given his only other managerial experience is an admittedly productive spell with Rangers and in the Saudi Pro League, it feels unlikely that he lands straight back into a Premier League job.

Should he want to earn his stripes in the English pyramid, therefore, a spell in the Championship, with a club such as Norwich, is probably his best bet?

He may look to former England teammate Frank Lampard for inspiration, who had his reputation somewhat ruined by some difficult experiences managing Chelsea, but has done incredible work with Coventry City.

Steven Gerrard could explore other opportunities first

That doesn’t mean it will necessarily be Norwich, though.

They are only being kept off the base of the second tier by Wednesday, who have recently received a 12-point deduction after entering administration.

In that context, both the Southampton and Middlesbrough gigs look more appealing, and if Gerrard is thinking about a Championship placement, then he will surely explore both of those first.

However, given the position he’d be starting from, Carrow Road may provide the former Liverpool man with the greatest leeway, as it certainly looks the biggest task out of the three vacancies.

Nevertheless, with figures like Russell Martin and Gary O’Neil on the shortlist, with strong Championship and Premier League credentials respectively, there are no guarantees the Canaries would be interested.