STEVEN Gerrard is targeting a return to management in England – but not before April.
The Liverpool legend has been out of work since departing Al-Ettifaq in January.
Jobs with Middlesbrough and his first club in management, Rangers, have come and gone in the past year with Gerrard strongly linked, but there’s a reason he doesn’t want to commit just yet.
TalkSPORT report Gerrard would have to repay as much as 45 per cent of his earnings in tax if he returned to the UK permanently before the spring.
Given the 114-time England international earned around £22 million, it’s easy to see why he wouldn’t want to give up £10m.
A few Englishmen found themselves in the same situation. Jordan Henderson had to come back to the Premier League via Ajax or he too would have lost a lot of cash to tax.
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Michael Beale, Gerrard’s former assistant, is in a similar situation after leaving the Saudi club at the same time and Ivan Toney will undoubtedly encounter the same issue if he ever wants to return to the English top flight.
Gerrard has not been short of interest despite a less than impressive record in the Gulf State.
Al-Ettifaq finished sixth during Gerrard’s only full season and then seventh at the end of the one he departed with names like Moussa Dembele and Gini Wijnaldum in the squad.
Gerrard came very close to a stunning return to Rangers, the club he brought their first SPL title to in a decade back in 2021.
However he ultimately turned down a romantic return.
He told TNT Sports. “I had some really positive and interesting talks with the owners. But it felt a bit rushed. I had a lot to think about and a short space of time to give a decision.
“There were a few things I was uncertain about. And if I’m going to take a challenge that big and that important – I’ve got that affection and connection with Rangers – for me to take that on again it had to be perfect and I had to be 100 per cent ready.
“I have to analyse, is it right for me? Is the timing right and are things perfect for me to be the best version of myself in that job? Unfortunately the timing, it didn’t feel right to me.
“I’ve got that much respect for Rangers that I wouldn’t go in there if I was 80-90 per cent ready, but hopefully one day I’ll be more ready and more prepared for it and that chance might come again.”
Gerrard was also linked with the recent Middlesbrough vacancy after Rob Edwards left for Wolves. Ultimately, the Teesiders appointed 37-year-old Kim Hellberg.
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Names like Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Sol Campbell and Roy Keane have all endured struggles in management after such legendary careers.
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