Bristol City are keen on appointing former Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard as their next boss ahead of the new season.
Bristol City are on the lookout for their next permanent manager, and according to Pete O’Rourke via Football Insider, the Championship outfit are keen on having Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard on their bench. He has emerged as the leading candidate to take charge ahead of the new season.
Gerrard started his managerial career with Liverpool’s youth teams before taking charge at Rangers. He had a lot of success at the Scottish club, but failed to replicate it when he got the chance to manage Premier League side, Aston Villa. The 45-year-old has been without a job since parting ways with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq at the start of 2025.
He has been waiting for the perfect opportunity to return to management, and as things stand, Gerrard could return this summer with Bristol. The Championship club appointed Roy Hodgson on an interim basis back in March after Gerhard Struber’s departure.
They asked the 78-year-old legendary manager to help them see through the season. He has fulfilled his duties by helping the club finish 12th on the table. While it was a decent finish, Bristol have some ambitious plans moving forward, and they want to bring in a manager who can help fulfil them.
Steven Gerrard could take charge at Bristol City
While speaking about Gerrard’s next destination, O’Rourke said, “He is keen to return to the dugout sooner than later, and he would be open to the possibility of a move to a Championship club.
“There’s been links with Bristol City in the Championship. Obviously, Roy Hodgson won’t continue at Bristol City.
“He’s now free of any tax issues from his time managing in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq. That clears the path for any potential move back into management in England as well.
“Maybe he’s thinking he could follow a similar path [to Frank Lampard], make a move to the Championship and take over a club where he could maybe lead them to Premier League.”
Steven Gerrard has emerged as the leading candidate for the job. While they do have a number of options on their radar, the 45-year-old would certainly be a big-name appointment if they can get it over the line. Apart from the limelight, he will bring in a lot of experience to the dressing room from his playing days.
While he had been extensively linked with a move to Burnley, it seems the Clarets have dropped their interest in his services. Bristol now have a clearer path to try and lure the Liverpool legend.
After an 18-month stint in the Middle East, he is keen on making a return to England, and a job in the Championship could help him rebuild his image as a manager. He could look to follow a similar path to that of Frank Lampard, who has guided Ipswich Town to the Premier League.
