- Scott Parker has departed Burnley by mutual consent
- Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard tipped as replacement
- Burnley move would end speculation of Ibrox return
Steven Gerrard’s route to a managerial return has been cleared after Burnley announced the departure of Scott Parker.
The club announced the head coach’s departure in a statement on Thursday morning, which read:
“Scott Parker has left his position as Head Coach of Burnley Football Club by mutual consent…
“The process of appointing a new permanent Head Coach ahead of the 2026/27 season has begun.”
The Clarets have endured a difficult season on their return to the Premier League with the club’s immediate return to the Championship confirmed last weekend.
And the former Rangers manager is widely rumoured as the man that Turf Moor chiefs want to replace Parker.
Burnley move would give Gerrard opportunity to restore reputation
Gerrard’s move to Aston Villa from Rangers in November 2021 only lasted 11 months after he was sacked in October 2022.
He was last in management with Saudi club Al-Ettifaq for two years from July 2023 to January 2025.
It would be fair to say that the former Rangers boss has not been able to hit the heights of his Ibrox tenure in his last two roles.
The opportunity to not only immediately return Burnley to the Premier League but make them a consistent presence in England’s top-flight would appeal.
Return to management would also kill Rangers return speculation
Whenever there has been a managerial vacancy at Ibrox in the last five years, Gerrard’s name has always been flown around as he remains the last manager to guide Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title.
He was in talks for a sensational return to Glasgow earlier in the season after Russell Martin’s departure before Danny Rohl’s appointment.
Therefore, if he is to be appointed at Turf Moor, it would tie him to a long-term project and would end any talk of an Ibrox return.
Not only that but a successful spell at Burnley could well see Gerrard’s name return to the thoughts of England’s elite clubs.
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A managerial return at Burnley would allow Steven Gerrard the opportunity to rebuild his stock as a manager after arguably underwhelming spells at Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq.
Gerrard still carries clout after his successful playing career and tenure as Rangers manager.
The hype was palpable that the 45-year-old would return to Ibrox a few months ago and a move to Burnley would kill that idea stone dead going forward.
