Steven Gerrard told ESPN that it was "never a possibility" that he would quit his job as Rangers manager to take charge of Everton, but admits Rafael BenÃtez to Real Madrid following Carlo Ancelotti's departure. He was not surprised by Kay's decision to move to Goodison Park.
Former Liverpool captain Gerrard will go face-to-face with Ancelotti at Ibrox on Sunday as Real travel to Glasgow to face Rangers in a preseason friendly to mark the 150th anniversary of the Scottish champions.
Ancelotti's surprise exit from Everton at the end of last season after only 18 months in charge led Gerrard to his home as the Italian's successor after initially guiding Rangers to their first league title in 10 years. Inspired speculation associating it with a return to the city.
But, while the 41-year-old said managing Everton was, & always will be, a non-starter, he told ESPN in an exclusive interview that he understands BenÃtez's decision to manage the club, despite his six-year stint. . of Liverpool between 2004-2010.
"Rafa wasn't born in City, he's not a red thru-and-through & he never played against Everton for 20 years & competed against them, so I think it's a very different situation. for]," Gerard said.
"Rafa is his own man & will make his own professional decisions, so it's no surprise he wants to return to the Premier League at a bigger club & have the opportunity to compete against all the top teams in the league, so I was 'very surprised & not surprised at all honestly.
"I was so shocked & surprised that my name was linked to the job. I don't know where it came from, whether it was a paper thing or there was some truth in it, I'm not sure.
"[Everton's management] is unlikely ever as far as I'm concerned."
Ancelotti's exit from Everton gives Gerrard a chance to manage the team for the first time this weekend against former AC Milan, Chelsea, Bayern Munich & Paris Saint-Germain coaches.
Gerrard said he is determined to make the most of his opportunity to take advantage of Ancelotti's knowledge & experience during Sunday's game.
"I have to admit, it was a surprise [when Carlo left Everton], but I'm not complaining," Gerrard said. “He was the manager among my big rivals & was doing a fantastic job – he is one of the best managers in the world he has been in for a while.
“I have had the experience of playing against him & sharing a touchline with him & if I get a chance it will be an absolute pleasure to try & learn & tap into his knowledge because he is someone I have seen for a long time.
"I've seen a lot of footage of him as a player as well & what he has given to the game is incredible. He is a winner as a player & a manager, so it would be a pleasure to have him at Ibrox."
Meanwhile, Gerrard said he was unaware of Ancelotti's attempt to sign him as a player for AC Milan until his playing career was over.
"Liverpool never brought it to me, so they must have kept it a secret," he said. "I actually saw the interview that [Ancelotti] had on him & it was very flattering & definitely very polite.
"I was very happy at Liverpool. No team in the world could have taken me away from there at the time, going into the peak years of my career from a personal point of view & I was really happy & satisfied trying to be successful at Liverpool." But when a name like Carlo Ancelotti or AC Milan talks about wanting you as a player, it's definitely very flattering."