Simon Jordan claimed Steven Gerrard's reputation is "down the toilet" after he took up a role with Saudi Arabia side Al Ettifaq - only to get a bold response from TalkSport colleague Gabby Agbonlahor.
Gerrard has been out of management since he was sacked by Aston Villa back in October after less than a year at Villa Park. Prior to that he'd been in charge at Rangers, leading them to the Scottish title. Now he's got back into work, but moved to the Middle East as the Saudis continue splashing the cash.
Leading lights in the Kingdom want to further their domestic league and have bought in the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante with more expected to follow. Gerrard has chosen to join the European exodus, which Jordan believes will do nothing for his career.
He said: "If you want to make a football decision that is going to take you on a journey that will make you a very successful manager and you back yourself, then you don't need to go to Dubai or the Middle East or wherever he's [Gerrard] going.
"In this instance, this is not a football decision, he's not going to advance as a coach, he's not going to enhance his reputation amongst those eyes that might look at him and go, 'oh look at what you did in the Saudi league'. They're not going to suggest that a Premier League job is going to come available as a result of that, so it's a financial decision."
Agbonlahor, who spent a large chunk of his career playing at Villa, has stood up for Gerrard and maintains the majority of people, including the former Crystal Palace owner, would've made the move had they been offered huge sums.
He tweeted Jordan and said: "You would get a ferry to Saudi if you got offered silly money to work on the radio over there! So please stop it mate."
Jordan hit back: "I would get a ferry to anywhere if it meant not having to clap eyes again on your gormless mug." Before Agbonlahor then responded: "I don’t appreciate being spoken to like that let’s have a chat tomorrow at work [muscle emoji]."
Al Ettifaq have tweeted a picture of Gerrard alongside the caption: "Where legends are found. We’re thrilled to announce Steven Gerrard is our new head coach." The Liverpool legend has made something of a u-turn after previously stating "as we stand right now, I won’t be taking that offer up" when quizzed on a move to Saudi Arabia.
