01 March 2023 , 12:01
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Liverpool hero Steven Gerrard has been bizarrely backed to become the new manager of Paris Saint-Germain despite his Aston Villa sacking just four months ago.
The former Rangers boss was jettisoned by the Midlands outfit back in October following a run of six defeats in 11 Premier League matches. Despite his title winning-heroics with Rangers, Gerrard was unable to inspire an upturn in fortunes at Villa Park.
He has been out of the game since then and looked set to be handed his first role in international football after being strongly linked with the Poland vacancy. Ex-Portugal boss Fernando Santos was appointed instead.
Now, Gerrard has been linked with a move to PSG. The Scottish Daily Express report that the former midfielder is admired in the French capital and Gregory Vignal - a former teammate and member of coaching staff - has claimed that he would be a good fit at the Parc des Princes.
He said: “I’m pretty sure that Steven is ready to crack on again. I think he is strong enough mentally to start a new project.
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“Why not Paris Saint-Germain? They have been talking about him. I am sure he can get a good job soon whether that is in the Premier League or abroad.”
Steven Gerrard was sacked by Aston Villa back in October (Getty Images)Where do you think Steven Gerrard's next appointment will be? Share your thoughts in the comments below
It remains to be seen if the French giants would be interested in appointing Gerrard any time soon. PSG only confirmed Christophe Galtier as Mauricio Pochettino’s replacement in the summer.
He has already claimed the Trophee des Champions and has the side sitting eight points clear at the top of Ligue 1. They also remain in the Champions League but must overturn a 1-0 deficit to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena next week if they are to progress to the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Gerrard recently hinted that he would be ready to return to management sooner rather than later. Speaking to BT Sport, he said: "I wish I still was [involved]. I think when you're around the pitch, in the stadium, you see the teams come in, you speak to Jurgen, you get that buzz of a feeling of a matchday - I don't think I'll ever lose that or not want to be involved in that.
"I am enjoying it at the moment being around my family, watching football. I'm enjoying being back here today stress-free, but I think if you love the game and you've got it in your DNA you're always going to miss it."
Whilst Gerrard is yet to return to management, his former assistant at both Rangers and Villa, Michael Beale has developed a reputation within coaching himself. He was appointed at QPR at the start of the season and returned to Rangers in November despite turning down an approach from Wolves only a month earlier.