According to former Liverpool star Gregory Vignal, Paris Saint-Germain should consider appointing Steven Gerrard as their next manager. Gerrard, who was sacked by Aston Villa earlier this season, has been backed by Vignal to return to management in the near future. Despite an underwhelming stint in the Midlands, Vignal, who worked as a coach under Gerrard at Rangers, believes that his former teammate is strong enough mentally to start a new project. He has named PSG as a potential destination for Gerrard, as they have reportedly been talking about him.
Christophe Galtier is the current PSG boss after taking over from Mauricio Pochettino last summer. The French champions sit eight points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table, but they are in danger of being eliminated from the Champions League in the last-16 following a 1-0 first-leg loss at home to Bayern Munich. The second leg of the tie takes place on Wednesday, March 8.
Vignal’s comments come after Gerrard’s sacking by Aston Villa in October 2021. The former Liverpool midfielder was dismissed after less than 12 months in the job, following a run of six defeats in 11 matches with Villa just one place above the Premier League’s relegation zone. Since then, successor Unai Emery has lifted them up to 11th in the table, 10 points adrift of danger.
Despite his short-lived stint at Villa, Gerrard is still considered one of the most promising young managers in the game. He enjoyed a successful spell at Rangers, leading them to their first Scottish Premiership title in a decade in the 2020/21 season. His success at Ibrox has led to speculation about his future, with some suggesting that he could return to Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp’s successor.
However, Vignal believes that Gerrard could also thrive at PSG. The French giants have been one of the most successful teams in Europe in recent years, winning seven Ligue 1 titles in the last nine seasons. They have also reached the Champions League final twice in the last decade, although they have yet to lift the trophy.
Gerrard’s experience as a player could be an asset at PSG. He won numerous trophies during his time at Liverpool, including the Champions League in 2005. He also played for England at three World Cups and two European Championships, earning 114 caps for his country.
If he were to take over at PSG, Gerrard would inherit a talented squad that includes some of the best players in the world. Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are two of the most exciting attacking talents in football, while Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe provide solidity at the back.
However, there would also be challenges for Gerrard to overcome. PSG have been criticised in the past for their lack of team spirit and discipline, with some suggesting that their star players are too focused on individual glory. Gerrard would need to find a way to get the best out of his squad and create a cohesive team that can compete at the highest level.
Overall, Vignal’s comments about Gerrard potentially taking over at PSG are intriguing. While it remains to be seen whether he will return to management in the near future, there is no doubt that he has the potential to be a top-class coach. Whether he ends up at PSG or elsewhere, it will be fascinating to see how his career develops over the coming years.