Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been named as the running favourite to become the next manager of Championship club Sheffield Wednesday.
In a shock move the Owls parted ways with Darren Moore by mutual consent earlier this week, despite leading them to promotion via League One play-off success against Yorkshire rivals Barnsley at Wembley.
A former custodian of the Hillsborough hotseat, Carlos Carvahal, was made the immediate favourite with 2/1 odds. However the Portuguese coach has since been overtaken by Gerrard at 11/4.
The 43-year-old took up his first managerial role with Rangers in 2018, who he led to a first Scottish Premier League title in 10 years. He would depart to take up an major Premier League opportunity at Aston Villa in 2021, though his ideas would not come to fruition, and Gerrard was ultimately sacked before the start of last year's World Cup.
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Linked with multiple roles since, including the vacant position at relegated Leeds United, the former England captain has been the subject of intense speculation this month in regard to taking a new managerial role in the rising power that is the Saudi Pro League.
The Middle Eastern state has been on a multi-million recruitment mission in 2023, adding the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N'golo Kante to its growing star-studded list of players, and there is also an interest in bringing coaches of Gerrard's fame to the league as well.
He travelled to the region to discuss the possibility of becoming the next Al-Ettifaq manager, and was even believed to have taken the job prior to any official announcement. However, speaking on Channel 4's coverage of England's Euro qualifier against North Macedonia, the rumours were put to bed.
"A lot has been said in the media and a lot of it is not true. I was invited over there to look at a potential offer, which I did, and have been analysing that over the last couple of days. As we stand, right now, I won't be taking that offer up," he announced.
Now free to explore offers closer to home, Sheffield Wednesday presents an interesting project for Gerrard to spearhead, should he decide to help the club kick on from last season's success.
He is joined by a number of former Premier League bosses in the running for the Steel City job, including Gary O'Neil (16/1), Frank Lampard and Sam Allardyce (both 33/1).
