[ad_1]
KOP THAT
By Andy Devlin
RANGERS boss Steven Gerrard has revealed it was “never a possibility” that he’d quit Rangers for Everton this summer.
The Liverpool legend was heavily linked with the Goodison Park job after Carlo Ancelotti sealed a return to Real Madrid.
But last night Gerrard – whose side face Los Blancos in a glamour friendly at Ibrox on Sunday – insisted it was always a non-starter.
Yet he claims he was not surprised to see his former Anfield boss Rafa Benitez take charge.
Gerrard said: “Rafa wasn’t born in the city, he’s not a red through-and-through and he never played against Everton for 20 years and competed against them, so I think it’s a very different situation.
“Rafa is his own man and will make his own professional decisions, so there’s no surprise that he wanted to get back in the Premier League at a big club and have the opportunity to compete against all the top teams in the league, so I wasn’t very shocked and surprised at all in all honesty.
“I was very shocked and surprised that my name was linked to the job.
“I don’t know where it came from, whether it was paper talk or if there was any truth in it, I’m not sure.
“Managing Everton is never a possibility as far as I’m concerned.”
Ancelotti’s exit from Everton means he’ll take charge of Real as the La Liga giants return to Ibrox for the first time in 58 years.
And ahead of Gers’ crunch Champions League qualifiers, Gerrard is determined to tap into Ancelotti’s knowledge and experience during Sunday’s game.
Gerrard said: “I must admit, it was a surprise when Carlo left Everton, but I’m not complaining.
“He was the manager at my big rivals and was doing a superb job – he’s one of the best managers in the world he has been for some time.
“I’ve experienced playing against him and it will be an absolute pleasure to share a touchline with him and to try and learn and tap into his knowledge if I get the opportunity because he is someone I have looked up to for a long time.
“I have watched a lot of footage of him as a player as well and what he has given to this sport is incredible.
“He’s a winner as a player and a manager, so it will be a pleasure to have him at Ibrox.”
[ad_2]
Source link
