What is next for Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard?

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Newcastle United

Now this may seem like a slightly bizarre one, but hold on it may not be as crazy as it first sounds. Newcastle’s odds on being Gerrard’s next blub, were slashed last weekend. After the ‘nearly signing for Chelsea’ episodes, Gerrard would not have even considered moving to another European, let alone English club that was not The Reds. But as time moves, opinions shift and maybe now, Stevie does feel the time has come to have last big challenge in England. After an awful 2015-16 Newcastle are now in the Championship, albeit with one of the most respected and tactically astute managers in the country, Rafa Benitez in charge. Benitez and Gerrard have history, most famously in Istanbul, but does this mean Rafa could convince his former skipper to head to the North-East in January?

The two may have had a reasonably successful time together at Liverpool, but the captain-manager relationship does not mean they are actually that close. In his 2015 autobiography Gerrard even said “I don’t think Rafa ever liked me as a person”, and believes that he could pick up the phone to speak to any of his previous managers, bar Benitez. Not exactly a great relationship by the sounds of it. On the flip side, these quotes may have something to do with Gerrard needing to sell books rather than been that accurate. And in fairness he also calls Benitez “the best tactical manager I have worked under”. Additionally Benitez is known for having distant relationships with most of his players, so it is probably extremely unlikely that he took a personal dislike towards Gerrard. Strictly from a professional angle, Benitez knows what Gerrard can do- he was the main reason for the Champions league final triumph in Istanbul, and the FA Cup final win in Cardiff. The two highlights of his time in charge of Liverpool.

If Rafa is genuinely keen for Gerrard to come to the Toon, it could work. In the short term playing Liverpool problem would be avoided, although Newcastle are right in the mix for promotion and could be a premier league team by August 2017. But for now Gerrard wouldn’t have to worry about an Anfield return (again barring a freaky cup draw) He would have the very real motivation of playing for and possibly leading a promotion chasing team. The timing could also work as Benitez has already said he wants to recruit in the January window.

Also, as with Celtic, he would be able to move back to his homeland. In theory, he could even base himself in Liverpool. The championship may be a major step down, compared to the rest of Gerrard’s career, but the prospect of winning promotion and helping the ‘Rafalution’ take full effect on Tyneside could be very tempting.

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