Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard has been cautioned that accepting the vacant managerial position at Ipswich Town might involve excessive risk as he aims to re-enter football management.
Gerrard's Managerial Ambitions
Gerrard is understood to be eager to return to the dugout 18 months after departing Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq. This would be his fourth senior management role, following stints at Aston Villa and Rangers, where he secured the Scottish Premiership title.
Ipswich's Unexpected Vacancy
Ipswich Town are set to return to the Premier League after just one season away, but they have been shaken by manager Kieran McKenna's decision to step away from football to take a break, despite recently securing his second promotion.
Former England international Teddy Sheringham expressed surprise at McKenna's choice, particularly as he does not have another job lined up. "I thought Kieran McKenna was going to take the Fulham job, and then two weeks later he announces that he's stepping back," Sheringham told ComeOn. "That just goes to show the pressure these managers are under, that he feels he needs that time out."
Sheringham added, "Good luck to him. I think it's fantastic for him and his family that he can do that at this stage of his career. Kieran McKenna is going to be a top manager for the next 15 years or more, so why not take that time out now? He knows he'll get a job as soon as he makes himself available again."
Risks for Gerrard
Sheringham warned that while Gerrard could potentially do the job, he would need to carefully consider taking over a side likely to struggle near the bottom of the table. "Steven Gerrard could take the Ipswich Town job, but I think it's a tough ask when you're taking a club like that back into the Premier League," he said.
He elaborated, "It needs a more experienced manager who understands that you're going to be losing games. Ipswich could lose six out of their first eight. A manager like Gerrard might not approach that right and then get the sack. For me, Ipswich need a manager with the experience to handle that situation."
Liverpool are scheduled to visit Portman Road in their third game of the Premier League season on the weekend of September 5, while Ipswich will travel to Anfield on the weekend of March 13.
