Steven Gerrard is among three candidates being considered for the vacant manager position at Middlesbrough. The Liverpool legend recently turned down a return to Rangers and left his role at Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq in January after 18 months in charge.
The vacancy arose after Middlesbrough granted Rob Edwards permission to speak with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Edwards, who spent only five months at Middlesbrough, has agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Wolves. The club will receive £3 million in compensation for his departure.
Rangers Decision
Gerrard explained his recent decision to reject a Rangers return in a TNT Sports interview earlier this month. He revealed the timing proved difficult: «Very close. I had some really positive and interesting talks with the owners. It felt a bit rushed to me because I had my family in Bahrain at the time. I had a lot to think about in a short space of time to give a decision.» The former Rangers manager added that for such a significant role, everything «would have to be perfect» and he needed to be «100 per cent ready.» Danny Rohl subsequently took the Rangers job.
Joining Gerrard on Middlesbrough's shortlist are Gary O'Neil and Carlos Coberan. O'Neil, who played for Middlesbrough between 2007 and 2011, has been out of work since being dismissed by Wolves last year. Coberan currently manages Valencia and previously gained Championship experience with West Bromwich Albion.
Former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke suggested on the What The EFL podcast that O'Neil should prefer the Middlesbrough role over Norwich City: «If I am Gary O'Neil, I am much more interested in the Middlesbrough job than I am the Norwich job, I'm afraid. Because, stable ownership, a team that is pretty solid at the top-end of the division. That feels obvious to me.» Middlesbrough won 2-1 against Birmingham City on Saturday with assistant coach Adi Viveash in interim charge.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
