According to a report in the Northern Echo, Newcastle are confident if they approach Steven Gerrard over the vacant manager’s role, the former Liverpool and England midfielder would be agreeable to joining.
Gerrard dismissed rumours linking him to the job at Derby County a few days ago, if their current manager, Frank Lampard, leaves to take over at Chelsea.
His commitment to the Ibrox club could be seriously tested if a club the size of Newcastle come calling, but there is another potential complication to persuading Gerrard to move south.
He has always had a great relationship with soon-to-be former Newcastle manager, Rafa Benitez, and he is sure to have kept in touch with him since they were at Anfield together.
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Whether Gerrard could be convinced to take the reigns at Newcastle, having surely read the stories of how things played out for Benitez, and the unrest from the fans at his departure, would be a huge test of his loyalties to his former manager.
Steven Gerrard’s loyalty to Rafa Benitez may scupper a deal
Before making any decision, Gerrard would likely be in touch with Rafa to ask his opinion, and – at this point – it would be difficult to think the Spaniard would have too many positive things to say about working under Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley.
He would certainly tell him of the adoration he would likely get from the supporters, but whether that would be enough to tempt a young manager, still learning his trade in the dugout, is doubtful.
He may come, do very well, and make himself a legend on Tyneside. But he could also find that life under Ashley could destroy his fledgling management career before it ever really gets off the ground.