Report: 43-year-old was never a top contender for Leeds job, now set to move elsewhere

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Steven Gerrard was never among the top candidates for Leeds United’s vacant managerial role amid reports he is set for a switch to Saudi Arabia.

That is according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, who claim despite reports elsewhere, Gerrard is not a leading contender to take over from Sam Allardyce.

Instead, Gerrard now looks set to take over at Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq having been pictured arriving in the country over the last couple of days.

The 43-year-old will become the latest big name to make the switch to the Middle East, following the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante, with more set to follow.

Gerrard has been out of work since his dismissal from Aston Villa in October last year and was also linked with a move to Leicester City, who were relegated from the Premier League alongside Leeds.

Gerrard never a top Leeds candidate

Despite various reports linking him with the job, it is probably a relief to many Leeds supporters that Gerrard will not be the club’s new manager.

Across social media, fans have been pretty unanimous in their feelings against Gerrard, but it now appears as though it was all agent talk.

Despite a decent start, his spell at Aston Villa was incredibly underwhelming and the fact Unai Emery was able to lead a side he had languishing around the bottom three into Europe speaks volumes.

Gerrard has only ever proven himself at Rangers and while he did a very impressive job there, it is very much a two-team league.

Leeds are instead said to be focusing their attention towards the likes of Brendan Rodgers, Daniel Farke and Carlos Corberan – all whom boast a far better track record.