More than three years have passed since Steven Gerrard managed in England, but the former Liverpool and England midfielder could be set for a return to the dugout. Following his departure from Al Ettifaq over a year ago, Gerrard has been linked with a managerial comeback, with Burnley emerging as a potential destination. The Clarets, currently managed by Scott Parker, saw their relegation from the Premier League confirmed earlier this month, fueling speculation of a change.
Gerrard's Strict Fine System at Aston Villa
Gerrard's list of player fines, which became a talking point during his tenure at Aston Villa, has resurfaced. The list, which went viral in the summer of 2022, revealed a strict disciplinary regime. Lateness was a particular focus: players arriving late to training faced a £500 fine, while being late to the training pitch, team coach, or a team meeting cost £200 per minute. On matchdays, even a few seconds of lateness incurred a £1,000 fine.
Additional Penalties for Misconduct
Further fines were imposed for dissent-related bookings, red cards, failing to clear plates after meals, or leaving snus—a nicotine product popular among footballers—in sight. Gerrard's hardline approach left a lasting impression, drawing comments from former Liverpool teammate Peter Crouch. On the That Peter Crouch Podcast, Crouch questioned the fairness of fining players for professional fouls: 'What if it's a professional foul and it saves your team? It might save you a point and you still have to take [the team] for dinner?'
Former Aston Villa and Stoke midfielder Steve Sidwell, also a guest on the podcast, expressed shock at the per-minute fines for lateness. '£200 a minute? What if you forget and don't turn up for two hours?' Crouch asked. Sidwell replied, 'I think I've seen this before... because that is extortionate.'
Gerrard's Readiness for a Return
Gerrard turned down the chance to return to management with Rangers earlier this season and has been working as a pundit. However, he hinted at a potential return in a talkSPORT interview earlier this month, saying, 'Listen, I'm more ready than I have been. My family are back home at Liverpool, kids are all settled at school. I'm more ready than I have been; I'm all ears.' He added, 'I'm not chasing, I'm not searching, I'm not desperate. I'm in a good place... but if the right opportunity comes, I'm all ears to listen to that.'
Recent reports suggest Gerrard would 'jump at' the chance to manage Burnley if the opportunity arises. He also spoke about his punditry work with TNT Sports, saying, 'I'm having a fantastic time with Ally [McCoist] and the boys... I'm covering some good games, big games.'
