New Burnley manager update hands Bristol City big Steven Gerrard boost | OneFootball

Bristol City have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Steven Gerrard, as Burnley have eyed Wales boss Craig Bellamy

Burnley and Bristol City are both hunting for a new manager ahead of the 2026/27 Championship season.

The Clarets have been relegated from the Premier League back to the second tier, whereas the Robins are set for a mid-table Championship finish.

Burnley have parted company with Scott Parker following their relegation, while the West Country club sacked Gerhard Struber in March following a poor run of results.

Bristol City have been under the interim stewardship of former England boss Roy Hodgson during the closing stages of the season, but they are now tasked with hiring Struber's permanent successor.

Burnley may no longer stand in Bristol City's way of Steven Gerrard as alternative appointment eyed

Struber was sacked by the Robins following a poor run of just one win in nine games across all competitions, while the Ashton Gate club began the season with aspirations of finishing in the Championship play-offs for a second consecutive season.

However, the ex-Barnsley boss can arguably feel hard done by, because the West Country outfit's downturn in form was also because former star players Anis Mehmeti and Zak Vyner were sold to Ipswich Town and Wrexham, respectively, in the winter transfer window.

Meanwhile, as reported by Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke via X, Steven Gerrard is in the frame to become the next Bristol City boss.

But, according to Sacha Tavolieri, Burnley have entered talks with Gerrard's representatives, in an effort to bring the former Rangers manager to Turf Moor.

Joining the Clarets, rather than the Robins, would make more logistical sense for the Liverpudlian due to the Turf Moor club's North West location.

However, as per BBC Sport, Wales boss Craig Bellamy has emerged as a serious candidate for the Burnley job, which could allow Bristol City to seal their move for Gerrard.

The former Liverpool star has endured a mixed managerial career to date as he won the Scottish Premiership title with Rangers in 2021, but struggled in the Premier League and Saudi Pro League with Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq, respectively.

Meanwhile, Bellamy remains a largely popular figure in the Wales set-up, even though he failed to steer his side to this summer's World Cup, instead suffering a play-off semi-final defeat at the hands of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bristol City could be better off convincing John Mousinho to move to Ashton Gate than pursuing Steven Gerrard appointment

As aforementioned, even though Gerrard has caught the eye of Burnley and the Robins, his managerial record at both Villa and in Saudi Arabia left a lot to be desired.

Meanwhile, as reported by talkSPORT's Alex Crook on X, Bristol City have also eyed a move for Portsmouth boss John Mousinho.

Unlike Gerrard, Mousinho boasts Championship experience and has successfully guided Pompey away from relegation danger for two consecutive seasons.

The 40-year-old has called for more investment from the Fratton Park club's owner, Michael Eisner, but speaking to BBC Radio Solent, the Portsmouth boss said he is not desperate to leave the South Coast.

Mousinho could, therefore, also be unimpressed by the way in which Bristol City owner Steve Lansdown failed to back Struber this season.

However, the former Oxford United player's track record in charge of Pompey suggests that he would be a better option than Gerrard to take the Ashton Gate club forward, should they be able to convince him away from Fratton Park.

Meanwhile, if Bristol City decide Gerrard is the best option to take them forward despite his shortcomings in recent years, Burnley's heightened interest in Bellamy will help them land the Liverpudlian's services.