Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has secured a new role as a pundit for TNT Sports, five months after his departure from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq.
The 44-year-old former England captain will provide expert analysis for Saturday’s Champions League final between Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, marking his return to football work since leaving his managerial position in January.
Gerrard’s appointment comes after a difficult spell in Saudi Arabia, where he struggled to deliver results with Al-Ettifaq despite the significant investment in the Saudi Pro League. His exit from the Middle Eastern club ended a challenging 18-month tenure that failed to meet expectations.
The move to punditry represents a temporary shift for Gerrard, who has previously expressed his desire to return to management at the right opportunity. His appearance on TNT Sports will give him a platform to maintain his visibility in European football while considering his next career move.
As one of England’s most decorated midfielders, Gerrard brings considerable expertise to the broadcasting role. His experience includes 114 England caps, over 700 appearances for Liverpool, and a stellar playing career that included Champions League, FA Cup, and UEFA Cup victories.
The Champions League final assignment is particularly fitting for Gerrard, who famously captained Liverpool to their dramatic 2005 Champions League triumph in Istanbul, one of the most memorable finals in the competition’s history.
TNT Sports, formerly BT Sport, has assembled a strong punditry team for the showcase event, with Gerrard adding significant star power and tactical insight to their coverage. His analysis will be particularly valuable given his experience both as a player in numerous high-stakes European matches and as a manager.
Gerrard’s managerial career began promisingly at Rangers, where he ended Celtic’s nine-year dominance by leading the Glasgow club to the Scottish Premiership title in 2021 without losing a single league match. This success earned him a move to Aston Villa in the Premier League, though his tenure there proved less successful.
The Saudi Arabian adventure with Al-Ettifaq was seen as an opportunity to rebuild his managerial reputation while benefiting from the significant resources being invested in the Saudi Pro League. However, despite the backing and high-profile signings, results remained inconsistent, leading to his departure by mutual consent.
Industry insiders suggest that Gerrard’s punditry role could serve as a stepping stone back into management, allowing him to stay connected with the game while waiting for the right opportunity. Several former players have successfully used media work to maintain their profile between managerial positions.
The Champions League final between Inter Milan and PSG promises to be a fascinating tactical battle, with Inter seeking their fourth European Cup and PSG still chasing their first. Gerrard’s insights into playing at the highest level and managing pressure in crucial matches will provide valuable perspective for viewers.
For TNT Sports, securing Gerrard represents a coup in the competitive world of football broadcasting. His name recognition and credibility with fans make him an attractive addition to their Champions League coverage, which remains one of their flagship properties.
The broadcasting role also allows Gerrard to analyze the modern game’s tactical evolution from a comfortable distance, potentially informing his approach should he return to management. Many successful managers have credited punditry work with helping them develop their tactical understanding and communication skills.
Gerrard’s appearance comes at a time when several high-profile former players are making the transition between playing, managing, and media work. The flexibility to move between these roles has become increasingly common in modern football, with broadcasting offering a valuable platform for maintaining relevance in the sport.
Friends close to Gerrard suggest he remains ambitious about his managerial career and views this period as an opportunity to reflect on his experiences and prepare for his next challenge. The premature end to his Rangers revolution and subsequent struggles have provided valuable lessons that could serve him well in future roles.
The Champions League final broadcast will air on Saturday evening, with Gerrard joining the pre-match, halftime, and post-match analysis. His insights into the mental and tactical aspects of European finals are expected to be a highlight of TNT Sports‘ coverage.
As Gerrard prepares for his punditry debut with TNT Sports, speculation continues about his managerial future. Whether this media role is a brief interlude or a longer-term position remains to be seen, but his presence in the broadcasting booth ensures he remains part of football’s ongoing narrative.
For now, football fans can look forward to hearing one of the Premier League’s greatest-ever midfielders share his expertise on one of club football’s biggest stages, as the Champions League final promises to deliver drama worthy of expert analysis.
Image credit: Steven Gerrard 2018 by soccer.ru, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.
