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Steven Gerrard to Rangers: Rafa Benitez backs Liverpool icon after Ibrox speculation
NEWCASTLE UNITED boss Rafa Benitez has backed Steven Gerrard to succeed as he moves into senior management.
Steven Gerrard is being heavily backed to take over at Rangers
The Liverpool icon is currently the front-runner for the Rangers job, with club officials said to be confident of securing the 37-year-old's services.
Gerrard enjoyed a stellar playing career before hanging up his boots back in 2016, winning eight trophies over a 17-year period.
But since retiring, the former midfielder's only experience in the dugout has come via Liverpool's under-18 side.
However, Benitez, who coached Gerrard for six years on Merseyside, is convinced he will succeed once taking the plunge into senior management.
“I think he has had a lot of managers and has learnt a lot from them at the maximum level," the Newcastle boss told reporters.
Steven Gerrard has only coached Liverpool's under-18 side
Steven Gerrard was coached by Rafa Benitez for six years at Liverpool
I think he has the potential to be a great manager
"I think he has the potential to be a great manager.
“He was a fantastic player.
"As a manager, he has the potential.
"It’s just a question of how he deals with the pressure, with the characters and all these things, but I think he’ll do well.”
SPL bosses Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon have both expressed their shock after hearing Gerrard was in the running for the Ibrox role.
Liverpool won the Champions League under Rafa Benitez and Steven Gerrard's leadership
But many supporters of Rangers have admitted they are excited at the prospect of his arrival.
Current boss Graeme Murty will step down from his first-team duties at the end of the season.
The Glasgow outfit currently sit second in the SPL, ten points behind closest rivals Celtic.