Steven Gerrard told Rangers exit cost him Liverpool job as Kieran McKenna fired loaded reminder amid Man Utd chase

Robbie Savage has claimed that Steven Gerrard's decision to leave Rangers cost him his chance at managing Liverpool.

And he warned Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna against falling into a similar trap with Manchester United, Chelsea and Brighton all chasing his signature after he led the Tractor Boys to the English Premier League off the back of consecutive promotions. A move to Old Trafford would mark an emotional return for McKenna having previously served in as an under-18s coach - before catching the eye of Jose Mourinho who promoted McKenna to assistant manager ahead of the 2018/19 season.

Savage has conceded that he would understand if McKenna jumped at the chance to replace Erik ten Hag in the summer, but insists Gerrard - who is currently managing in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ettifaq - shows why you shouldn't "take the first offer from a big club that comes along." The Liverpool legend led Rangers to their first title in 10 years before jumping ship for Aston Villa in 2021.

However, Gerrard lasted only 11 months in the Villa Park hot seat and is now attempting to revive his managerial career in the Middle East. Writing for The Mirror, Savage said: "Kieran McKenna is a wanted man after leading Ipswich to back-to-back promotions.

"He is on the shortlists for the vacancies at Chelsea, Brighton and - if Erik ten Hag leaves Old Trafford after the FA Cup final - Manchester United. It must be nice to be wanted by so many prospective employers, but I hope McKenna chooses his next move carefully.

"If he remains a Tractor Boy and they make a good fist of their return to the Premier League, his stock will rise even higher. If McKenna goes to Chelsea, it might be a short-lived appointment based on the Blues' record of hiring-and-firing under Todd Boehly's ownership.

"If he goes to Brighton, what can he realistically hope to achieve that Roberto De Zerbi could not deliver at the Amex? In his shoes, if he gets the chance, I would go back to

"United, where he cut his teeth as an impressive young coach, to show he is now ready for one of the biggest jobs in world football. But it's not always easier to walk away and take the first offer from a big club that comes along.

"Steven Gerrard led Rangers to an Invincible season in Scotland, but if he had stayed - and landed more trophies instead of taking the Aston Villa job in 2021 - he might have been the leading candidate to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. Instead, he is working off the beaten track in Saudi Arabia's Pro League."