Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is being extensively linked to Aston Villa but the Ibrox gaffer could certainly learn from a familiar foe in Frank Lampard if the Premier League side do come calling.
Out of England’s so-called golden generation, Gerrard is one of three major managers currently plying their trade in the United Kingdom.
Wayne Rooney is toiling with administration hit Derby County but the situation surrounding Frank Lampard is much more pertinent.
Lamps, 43, was appointed as Derby County manager at the same time Stevie G took over at Ibrox and initially the two were a near-constant source of comparison. Nothing ever changes.
Both started their managerial careers brightly with Gerrard steering Rangers to the Europa League and Lampard eventually taking Derby County to the English Championship playoffs.
Interestingly, it was Dean Smith’s Villa who pipped Lampard to a Premier League place but what happened afterwards has left a major mark on the Chelsea and England legend’s career.
Frank Lampard Chelsea stint can act as Premier League warning to Rangers boss
Frank Lampard would return to the Premier League after all, taking over at the club he is most synonymous with in Chelsea two seasons ago.
However, Lampard lasted only 18 months in charge despite heavy spending with Thomas Tuchel coming in and winning the Champions League with the west London club.
Now, Lampard is left fishing around in the lower Premier League upper Championship job market with the manager yet to be convinced or convince anyone regarding a vacant role.
Linked extensively to the job at Norwich City, the Canaries are five points from safety and by anyone’s bet the favourite to go down.
Lampard – whilst he might back himself to turn it around – is likely to face the mire of the Championship within 10 months if he takes over at Carrow Road.
It proves that life in the Premier League can be ruthless and if Gerrard does jump to Villa and things don’t go to plan, then talk of Liverpool becomes even more elusive.
Lampard’s situation proves that if the Ibrox manager leaves the Gers for Villa, within 18 months he could wind up on the scrapheap fishing around for jobs of much lower stature.
Timing is everything with Liverpool vacancy two and a half years away
Gerrard’s always going to back himself to be a success, but being serious, there is an elite coaching rung in the Premier League for which even the most ardent bluenose will admit Gerrard does not yet qualify.
Mentality and personality will not be enough.
That managerial shine which surrounds the gaffer comes from his success at Rangers. The lack of it with Lampard and Rooney – equally as successful and arguably as talented as footballers – proves it.
Staying at Rangers, dominating Scottish football and making inroads into the Champions League certainly sounds better on his C.V. than getting the chop for toiling in the middle reaches of the Premier League.
That’s a genuine reality if Gerrard opts to move to a club who’ve had eight managers in the last 10 years.
Is that a risk Gerrard can afford with his contract at Ibrox and Jurgen Klopp’s at Liverpool up at the same time in only two-and-a-half years?
One Rangers insider has also been debunking a couple of myths which have been popping up in the press surrounding Villa’s reported interest.
