English football legend, Steven Gerrard has emerged as a shock candidate to become Poland’s new head coach after their poor performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Poland is looking to replace former manager Czeslaw Michniewicz, whose contract was not renewed after a 3-1 defeat to France in the World Cup round of 16 last December. Polish publication Meczyki reported that the country’s FA has already made contact with Gerrard who has been out of job for the past two months after being sacked by Aston Villa. Other names on the list are Roberto Martinez, who became Portugal’s manager on Monday after parting ways with Belgium, and Herve Renard, the Saudi Arabia coach who masterminded a stunning 2-1 victory over eventual World Cup winners Argentina.
Other coaches considered include Vladimir Petković, Paulo Bento, and Nenad Bjelica. The Polish options are Marek Papszun or Jan Urban. Gerrard started his managerial career with Scottish Premiership giants Rangers in 2018 following a short stint with Liverpool’s U18s and U19s. He gave the club its first title in 10 years in 2021, managing to go an entire year unbeaten. The Liverpool legend was appointed as Aston Villa’s coach in November 2021. He was however sacked this season following a 3-0 defeat to Fulham in October.