“Unfinished Business” – Liverpool legend drops hint over potential return | OneFootball

Steven Gerrard Eyes Return as Middlesbrough Vacancy Sparks Fresh Speculation

When Steven Gerrard speaks about “unfinished business”, football listens. Once Liverpool’s iconic captain and now a manager looking to re-establish himself, Gerrard has been candid about his desire to return to the dugout under the right circumstances. With Middlesbrough suddenly searching for a new manager, his name is again being whispered around the Riverside.

Middlesbrough’s Search Reignites Gerrard Links

Rob Edwards’ departure to Wolves has left Middlesbrough seeking yet another managerial appointment, just months after his arrival. Although Gerrard was dismissed as a candidate during the summer, it now feels plausible that his profile could fit the Teesside club’s ambitions. Currently sitting second in the Championship, Middlesbrough are in a strong position to challenge for promotion, matching Gerrard’s belief that he should only lead a team “that’s going to compete to win.”

There are, for now, no verified reports connecting him to the role, but with Gerrard recently turning down an approach from Rangers, the timing is intriguing. The Liverpool legend’s managerial career has already seen highs and lows, from halting Celtic’s dominance with Rangers to a brief and turbulent tenure at Aston Villa.

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Lessons from Rangers, Villa and Beyond

Gerrard’s evolution as a coach has been shaped by contrasting experiences. His early work at Liverpool’s academy gave him the grounding to succeed at Rangers, where he famously guided the club to their first Scottish Premiership title in a decade. That triumph enhanced his managerial reputation, yet his spell in the Premier League was far more punishing.

At Aston Villa, inconsistency and staff upheaval undermined his progress. Gerrard himself admitted that “a lot of coach changes at Aston Villa and over in Saudi – I don’t think helped me from a personal point of view.” His move to Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia was similarly frustrating, the lack of competitiveness failing to ignite his trademark intensity.

A Manager Ready to Rebuild

Now back home, Gerrard appears reflective but hungry. Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, he outlined his determination to learn from past experiences. “I’d love another go at some point,” he said. “I want to change a few things and improve a few things and come back fresh, with a few different people around myself.”

He went on to add: “I know where I’m strong and I know there’s areas where I need good support, and I need special skill sets to make me better and stronger, in terms of my staff and my group. I felt like I had that to a tee at Rangers.”

Currently enjoying family life and exhibition matches alongside former teammates, Gerrard admitted that his competitive fire still burns. “There’s a part of me that still feels that there’s a bit of unfinished business,” he said. “I want to be at a team that’s going to compete to win because I think that suits me better.”

Could Middlesbrough Be the Right Fit?

For Middlesbrough, who crave Premier League football and possess a squad built to challenge, Gerrard would bring leadership, profile and experience of high-pressure dressing rooms. For Gerrard, a club of Boro’s stature and ambition might offer the right balance of expectation and opportunity.

If the timing and conditions align, this could be a managerial match that makes sense for both sides.