Steven Gerrard has emerged as the frontrunner to become the new manager at Championship club Burnley, with the former Liverpool midfielder linked with a return to management.
The 46-year-old has been out of the dugout since leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq in January 2025. He has previously managed Aston Villa and Rangers, winning the Scottish Premiership title in 2021. Gerrard was touted for a return to Rangers last year but opted against it.
Gerrard leading the race for Burnley vacancy
Burnley parted ways with Nicky Hayen on Saturday following a 4-1 defeat at Lincoln. The Belgian was sacked after just 14 games in charge, having been appointed during the summer. Hayen managed only a single victory from his 12 league matches, leaving Burnley in the Championship relegation zone following their top-flight demotion last season.
BetVictor has tipped Gerrard as the favourite to take over from Hayen at odds of 4/1. Dave Challinor, Rob Edwards and Sean Dyche are all priced at 6/1. Two further former Liverpool favourites also feature among the contenders: current Wales boss Craig Bellamy is priced at 10/1, while Robbie Keane is listed as an outsider at 16/1 alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and ex-Tottenham manager Thomas Frank.
Gerrard's stance on management return
Gerrard was also linked with the Burnley vacancy over the summer before Hayen was appointed, following Scott Parker's departure from Turf Moor after the club's relegation from the Premier League. Speaking earlier in October, the former Liverpool captain insisted he is not in any hurry to return to management.
During an appearance on the Open Goal podcast, Gerrard said: "At the moment I am happy, I am doing TV with TNT. I have signed a new deal. I have got some other bits and bobs that I do, some commercial stuff."
He added: "I became a grandad a year ago. I'm loving being around the family, I get enough time off. My work life balance is great. I've had quite a few offers and chats with teams and stuff but at the moment I am really happy with what I am doing."
