Ex-Crystal Palace Chairman Doubts Gerrard’s Credentials For Premier League Job
Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan has argued that Steven Gerrard is not ripe to be given a Premier League job at this stage of his career.
Gerrard has been appointed Aston Villa manager on a three-and-a-half-year contract and will take charge of his first game against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
The 41-year-old spent three-and-a-half seasons in charge of Rangers, leading them to their first Scottish Premiership title in ten years last season.
Despite his achievements in Scotland, Jordan believes Gerrard as well as his former England teammate Frank Lampard, who got a season-and-a-half in charge of Chelsea before getting replaced by Thomas Tuchel, only got their big breaks because of the reputations they forged during their playing days.
“I don’t think he [Gerrard] has the credentials either,” Jordan told Talksport in an argument with former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy.
“Neither one of these guys would walk through the door if they were Joe Schmo from nowhere, and not Frank Lampard, and not Steven Gerrard.
“They would never ever get these opportunities because they don’t merit them.”
“Steven Gerrard you know who he is, Frank Lampard you know who he is,” he continued.
“They both talk very well, they’ve both got good backgrounds, they both seem to be very sensible, but neither one of them has been at the top table for winning anything significant.
“I know the SPFL is significant in Scotland, but in real terms it’s [Gerrard’s job at Rangers] not going to compare to the job in hand at Aston Villa.”
