Steven Gerrard Nearly Took Leeds Job as Former Team-Mate Makes Incredible Revelation

Former Team-Mate Makes Incredible Revelation About the Liverpool Legend’s Almost-Move to Elland Road

It’s one of those “what could have been” moments in football—when the right manager, the right club, and the right time almost align… but then don’t. According to former Liverpool and England winger Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard came very close to becoming Leeds United’s head coach last year. Yes, you read that right—Gerrard, patrolling the Elland Road touchline in a white tracksuit, barking orders to the Peacocks’ faithful.

The story is not a rumour from some dodgy social media account. This came straight from Downing, a man who played alongside Steven Gerrard for both club and country. And the way he tells it, Leeds didn’t just think about Steven Gerrard—they spoke to him.

What Happened: Steven Gerrard’s Name in the Leeds Frame

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Leeds United were in a tricky spot last summer. After flirting dangerously with the drop and reshuffling their squad, they were on the hunt for a coach who could steady the ship and lead them back to the Premier League. Gerrard, fresh from a turbulent stint at Aston Villa, was one of the names on the shortlist.

Downing, speaking to Flashscore, put it like this:

“I was at Leeds last year and there were a lot of rumours about him coming in there and at the time I thought Leeds would be a good fit. Not too far from his home. Big club, big expectations, a bit like Rangers if you like in terms of the pressure because Leeds have a big fan base and big demands. I know they definitely did speak to him before Farke got the job. It was him, Scott Parker and Farke.”

If you close your eyes, you can picture it: Steven Gerrard, just an hour’s drive from his family home, stepping into a cauldron of expectations not unlike the atmosphere he thrived in as Rangers boss.

Why Farke Got the Job Instead

As history now shows, the job went to Daniel Farke. Why? According to Downing, it came down to track record:

“Farke got the job probably on his experience of getting teams promoted, which has been proven right. He’s done a good job there.”

And indeed, Farke has lived up to the billing. Promotion back to the Premier League, stability, and a clear style of play—just what Leeds needed after the turbulence. But it’s tempting to imagine how things might have turned out under Steven Gerrard. Would the football have been different? Would his presence alone have drawn in new signings?

Steven Gerrard Nearly Took Leeds Job – What This Means for His Managerial Story

The Rise, Fall, and Search for Direction

When Gerrard retired from playing in 2016, the football world assumed it was only a matter of time before he rose to the very top in management. He cut his teeth in Liverpool’s academy before stepping into senior football with Rangers in 2018. What followed was an impressive spell in Scotland: invincible league champions in 2020-21, a fierce European campaign, and a level of authority that made many think he’d soon manage in the Premier League.

That call came in 2021, when Aston Villa handed him the reins. But life in the Premier League isn’t easy—especially when results don’t come. In just under a year, Gerrard’s record read 13 wins in 40 games, and Villa pulled the plug.

For some, that was a brutal reality check. For others, it was a reminder that success in one league doesn’t always translate seamlessly to another. Still, Steven Gerrard wasn’t done yet.

The Saudi Chapter: From Fast Start to Fizzling Out

Next came Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League—a bold move into a league grabbing headlines (and superstars) at breakneck speed. Steven Gerrard started brightly, bringing structure and a bit of European flair to the side. But form faded, results dipped, and 18 months later, the Liverpool legend parted ways with the club.

It wasn’t the fairytale revival some expected. If anything, it left Steven Gerrard’s managerial CV with more question marks than exclamation points.

Leeds: The Perfect “What If?”

This is why the Leeds link is so fascinating. Had Gerrard landed the job, he’d have been back in England, in front of passionate fans, and in a league that demands high-energy football. Leeds, with their attacking traditions and vociferous Elland Road crowd, could have been the stage for Gerrard to rebuild his reputation.

Instead, that stage went to Daniel Farke—and, to his credit, Farke has delivered exactly what the club hoped for. Leeds are back in the Premier League, starting their campaign against Everton on August 18. But the thought of Steven Gerrard standing in that dugout remains a tantalising “what if” for both fans and neutrals.

Steven Gerrard

The Bigger Picture for Gerrard

At 44, Gerrard is still young in managerial terms. Plenty of big-name managers—think Mourinho, Klopp, Ancelotti—hit their prime well into their 50s and 60s. But Gerrard is now at a crossroads. Does he wait for the right club in Europe? Does he take another job abroad? Or does he, as some reports suggest, step away from management altogether and pursue punditry, ambassadorial roles, or something entirely different?

What’s certain is that his name still carries weight. Clubs know that hiring Gerrard is not just about tactics—it’s about profile, leadership, and the aura of a man who captained Liverpool and England with distinction.

Former Team-Mate Makes Incredible Revelation – Why This Story Resonates

Stewart Downing’s comments hit home because they remind us that football is full of sliding doors moments. One meeting, one conversation, one decision—these can change careers and club histories. For Gerrard, the Leeds near-miss could have been the spark for a managerial comeback in England. For Leeds, it could have meant a very different journey back to the Premier League.

In the end, both parties have moved forward: Leeds with a manager who has achieved their immediate goals, Gerrard with time to reflect and reset. But fans will always wonder what might have happened had the handshake gone the other way.

Final Whistle

• Steven Gerrard nearly took the Leeds United job, as revealed by his former team-mate Stewart Downing.

• Talks happened, but Daniel Farke’s proven promotion record sealed the deal for Leeds.

• Gerrard’s managerial career has had bright moments (Rangers) and struggles (Aston Villa, Al-Ettifaq).

• His future remains uncertain—possibly another club, another country, or even a step away from management.

Football history is full of “almost” stories, and this one might just be another chapter in the long, winding tale of Steven Gerrard’s post-playing career.