Blackburn Rovers vacancy could be perfect stepping stone for Steven Gerrard | OneFootball

The former Liverpool man could soon be looking for a way back into English football, and an opportunity has just opened

The fresh opening at Blackburn Rovers could prove useful to recently out-of-work manager Steven Gerrard.

The Liverpool legend has now left his job in Saudi Arabia and could soon be looking at a return to England.

That return comes just as Blackburn Rovers are going through a change in the dugout, as John Eustace departs to take up the same role at Derby County.

Gerrard could do worse than to follow the example of his former England team-mate, Frank Lampard, who’s finding success in his recent Championship move.

Gerrard and Blackburn’s situations could be the perfect storm

Gerrard left the manager’s role at Al-Ettifaq at the end of January by mutual consent after 18 months in charge of the club, with the side hovering just above the relegation zone.

Given the downturn in results, the departure was not the greatest shock, unlike that of Eustace departing for Derby, given he’s left play-off-chasing Blackburn for the relegation-threatened Rams.

In a statement, Rovers said: "While we are disappointed by [Eustace's] decision to leave at this crucial stage of the season, we fully understand that the opportunity to move closer to his family and return to a former club played a significant role in his choice.

"The club had hoped that John would see out the season and continue the fantastic work he has done, particularly after strengthening the squad in January and guiding us into a strong position in the league.”

The fact that Gerrard has managed in Scotland, Birmingham and Saudi Arabia in relatively quick succession suggests he is driven by the job and will no doubt be looking for new openings.

After being away for so long, an opportunity like Blackburn, close to his hometown Liverpool, with a good standard of players, could be the ideal fit.

Whereas for Blackburn, they’d be getting a renowned name, someone with a winning pedigree in Scotland and Premier League experience, both as a player and a manager.

There may be reservations on both sides, but there would be plenty of positives to the link-up.

Gerrard will struggle to get Premier League job

In the uber-competitive Premier League, with a patchy record in the division from his time at Villa — highlighted by what Unai Emery subsequently came in and did — and having been somewhat away from the European spotlight in Saudi, Gerrard will not have top-tier clubs in England queuing up for his signature.

Having now made his money in Saudi — Gerrard was reported to be one of the highest-paid managers in football in that role with an estimated yearly salary of £15million — if the former midfielder is serious about making a go of his managerial career in his own country, then he will need to set his sights a level lower.

Blackburn, in the play-offs with a genuine shot at promotion to the Premier League, therefore look like a promising proposition, especially given the proximity to Liverpool.

Prove himself capable there and he could, if not take Rovers to the Premier League, then impress enough that a team already in the league takes a chance on him.

Blackburn have been plunged into a managerial search they hadn’t bargained for, so may well be up for giving him a chance.

Following Lampard’s lead

It’s a move that is working well for former England midfield partner Frank Lampard, who recently took over the vacancy at Coventry City.

Lampard has had similarly difficult spells in the Premier League with Chelsea and Everton, before taking the decision to drop down a division to try and revive his managerial career.

So far, with eight wins and three draws to his name in the second tier, Coventry are heading in the right direction towards the play-off places — if he can get them in amongst that battle, it’ll do his reputation no end of good.

The same would apply to Gerrard. Although he’d have a slightly loftier position to maintain at Ewood Park, if he could land the club a decent shot after the turbulence of Eustace’s exit, it would a big tick on his CV.

It may not be as glamourous as European football with Rangers, nor as well-paid as Saudi football, but Gerrard would be wise to take note of Lampard’s work and put himself forward for the vacant Blackburn role.