Steven Gerrard 'issue' raised as West Brom hunt for Ryan Mason replacement | OneFootball

Steven Gerrard is available as West Bromwich Albion search for a Ryan Mason replacement.

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…

Steven Gerrard could be a potential option for West Bromwich Albion as the Baggies strive to appoint a new manager amid their disappointing Championship campaign.

West Brom sacked Ryan Mason on Tuesday, following Monday night's 2-1 defeat to Leicester City, which marked the West Midlands side's 10th consecutive away loss.

Mason's largely underwhelming stint in charge of the Baggies ended in dramatic circumstances, with Abdul Fatawu thrashing home a 94th-minute winner for the Foxes on Monday.

West Brom's next game sees them take on fellow Championship outfit Swansea City in the FA Cup on Sunday, while club chairman Shilen Patel will vie to appoint a new boss who can steer the Hawthorns outfit away from the bottom half of the second tier, and towards the playoff places.

Meanwhile, former Aston Villa boss Gerrard remains a free agent, having left Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq last June.

West Brom warned over Steven Gerrard amid key Mick Beale factor

Gerrard has endured a mixed managerial career, which has seen him win the Scottish Premiership title with Rangers, before significantly less successful stints with both Villa and in Saudi Arabia.

With the former Liverpool star's free agent status in mind, Football League World asked our West Brom fan pundit, Callum Burgess, if he thought the 45-year-old should be considered for the Baggies' managerial vacancy.

Callum told FLW: "The issue I've got with Steven Gerrard is he's just spent a period of time managing in Saudi. So, with that in mind, you struggle to see where his motivation would lie.

"Does he have the desire to take on a challenge at West Brom? Take them through the league and, first of all, restoring some balance to our team. I think that the thing that brought him most success at Rangers was having Mick Beale, which he did in his last job at Al-Ettifaq.

"He didn't have him with him at Aston Villa (after Beale joined QPR in June 2022), which is where things went particularly pear-shaped. I think that, with the Villa connection in mind, that'd probably get him off to a bad start immediately, where some fans will be hesitant to get on board with him, and I think that it'd be one I'd be 50/50 on."

Baggies may be wary of Steven Gerrard as manager search begins

Gerrard proved his worth in the dugout when he guided Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title back in 2021.

However, the former England international went on to struggle in the Premier League with Villa, while his lack of success in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq is not a glowing endorsement of his managerial ability.

While Gerrard could be keen on a move to the Championship to resurrect his career, the Liverpudlian may not be an ideal fit for West Brom, who need to make great improvements to rekindle their playoff challenge.

Furthermore, as mentioned by Callum, some Baggies supporters will not like the idea of their club appointing a boss who was once in the dugout with local rivals Villa.