Exclusive: What Lee Hendrie has said on Middlesbrough appointing Steven Gerrard | OneFootball

Steven Gerrard is now featuring prominently on the bookmakers' list for the Middlesbrough job

Steven Gerrard is featuring prominently on the bookmakers' list for the Middlesbrough job following Michael Carrick's sacking.

The managerial vacancy at Boro has attracted a lot of attention from the betting markets, with several high-profile candidates being linked to the Championship club - Steve Cooper and Rob Edwards have both previously been favourites.

Carrick's exit after failing to secure promotion has left the club searching for a new direction, and Gerrard's availability following his departure from Al Ettifaq has made him an intriguing option for the Teesside outfit.

Lee Hendrie backs Steven Gerrard but maintains Rob Edwards preference for Boro job

Speaking exclusively to FLW about the developing situation surrounding Boro's managerial search, Hendrie was full of praise for Gerrard - while maintaining his belief that Rob Edwards remains the ideal candidate.

"I’ve said I think Rob Edwards would be the perfect fit, I think Stevie has had to go away and obviously managed in Saudi, got a bit more experience I suppose from working with players on a different level," Hendrie told FLW.

"When you’ve got Steven Gerrard linked with the job, i think he would definitely be a great, a great addition to the football club, but I still think Rob Edwards would be the one that could probably take them forward.

"What Stevie did when he went to Villa didn’t quite work for him but i think he’d be a great addition for Boro," Hendrie concluded.

Gerrard's 18-month spell with Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League came to an end in January 2025, with the former Liverpool midfielder leaving by mutual consent - after winning just five of 17 league matches.

During his time there - Gerrard was reportedly earning around £15m per year - making him one of the highest-paid managers in the world.

Reports suggested that Gerrard fell out of love with the project at Al Ettifaq, with staff changes and injuries contributing to the poor form that saw him depart - but the club's president praised the Scouser for transforming the club.

Gerrard's previous experience in English and Scottish football, despite the mixed results at Aston Villa, shows he understands the demands associated with managing in competitive leagues - he ended Celtic's dominance and secured the Scottish Premiership with Rangers.

The Championship perhaps represents a natural next step for Gerrard as he'd be looking to rebuild his managerial reputation in English football - and Middlesbrough's resources do make them an attractive proposition for any manager.