Graeme Souness: Steven Gerrard must avoid Newcastle job
The Rangers boss is reportedly on a shortlist to be the new St James' Park boss.
Last updated 19th Oct 2021
Rangers legend Graeme Souness is warning Steven Gerrard not to be tempted by a potential move to Newcastle United.
The English Premier League side are reportedly looking to replace Steve Bruce following a Saudi Arabian-backed £305m takeover.
Gerrard has been tipped as one of the front runners for the job alongside Unai Emery and Roberto Martinez.
He led the Ibrox side to their first league title in a decade last season as they went through the whole Premiership campaign unbeaten.
Souness, who spent 18 months in charge at St James' Park, says there are various reasons he should knock back any advances.
The 68-year old thinks Glasgow is the perfect place to set Gerrard up for an 'inevitable' approach from former club Liverpool in the future.
Well-documented human rights concerns surrounding Newcastle's Saudi Arabian owners are also a worry for Souness.
He exclusively told Clyde 1 Superscoreboard: “I don’t think it’s one he should go near.
“My advice to him would be to stay where he is.
“Although he has been in the Rangers job for three years, he’ll realise that’s a short time in management.
“He’s still learning after three years – but he’ll still be learning after 23 years.
“I think he should wait, and he will wait, for the Liverpool job. It’s inevitable he’ll get offered it.
“I don’t see Jurgen (Klopp) being there beyond the next two or three years. If Steven ends up being Rangers manager for five or six years, that’s a great education for him.
“I don’t think there’s any lure at Newcastle - and when you look at the human rights aspect, I would find it hard to go and work for that club again with the new owners.
“I wouldn’t do it. I just would not do it."
Souness took over at Liverpool in 1991 following a successful spell in charge of Rangers.
The former Scotland international is convinced Gerrard will make the same journey and believes Ibrox is the best place for his development.
He said: “There’s managing big football clubs and managing medium-sized football clubs. There’s a world of difference in terms on intensity and what’s expected of you.
“I’ve always maintained that managing at Rangers and Celtic is as difficult as it gets. I remember saying that to Martin O’Neill and he agreed.
“Simply because the focus is on you all the time.
“If you go down to England work for some clubs outside the top four or five and that scrutiny isn’t there.
“He’s getting a great education now for the next one which I think will be Liverpool."