Wayne Rooney backed for 'surreal' link-up with Steven Gerrard as Man Utd & Liverpool legends plot next coaching moves

Manchester United great Rooney is taking on punditry duty again after seeing a 25-game stint in charge of Plymouth brought to a close. He failed to rebuild his reputation in managerial circles there after previously lasting just 83 days alongside NFL icon Tom Brady at Birmingham.

Gerrard has also been struggling to earn favour in the coaching game, with the ex-Liverpool captain flopping at Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq on the back of guiding Rangers to a memorable Scottish Premiership title triumph. There has been talk of him returning to Glasgow.

Derek Ferguson, who won two titles with the Gers in his playing days, believes Rooney may be tempted to join Gerrard in Scotland. He has told Ibrox News: “I quite like the fact that Rooney has put himself out there in terms of managerial jobs, albeit it’s not worked for him. Imagine Gerrard coming back to the club as manager and Rooney as his assistant. Something crazy like that, you know?

“The likes of Gerrard and Rooney, they’re football men. The one thing they have instantly is respect with the players. Players will listen to guys like that, who have been there and done it. So who knows? It would be surreal, but nothing surprises you in football. I quite like the sound of that.”

Gerrard took in 193 games as Rangers boss, winning 125 of those, after agreeing to cut his managerial teeth at Ibrox. He left for a Premier League post at Aston Villa in November 2021 and is now enjoying a break from all football-related activity as he mulls over what to do next.