Steven Gerrard was among the frontrunners for the Newcastle United job this time last year. Now, the Liverpool legend must rebuild his managerial reputation following a bruising spell at Aston Villa.
Gerrard was sacked late on Thursday night after his side's defeat at Fulham, a result which leaves the club sat outside the relegation zone on goals scored alone. Villa have won just twice so far this season, and face a trip to St James' Park on October 29.
Newcastle's owners were patient in their hunt for a manager, with a month passing from the takeover until Eddie Howe's appointment was finally confirmed. Gerrard was regularly quizzed on the links with the Magpies hotseat, but dismissed speculation while stressing his respect for then-head coach Steve Bruce.
READ MORE: Eddie Howe on the 'little things' that can help Newcastle United beat Tottenham
Gerrard's former Liverpool team-mates Peter Crouch and Jose Enrique were quick to give their verdict on the speculation. Both believed the Rangers manager would prove a success on Tyneside, but urged the former midfielder to 'swerve' any job offer in order to focus on one day succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
Rio Ferdinand could not see Gerrard risking this mooted succession plan despite the project on offer at Newcastle, insisting the 42-year-old would have his 'eyes' on Liverpool. Former Villa boss Tim Sherwood believed the ex-England international would be 'perfect' for the Magpies, but fellow Sky Sports pundits Lee Hendrie and Danny Mills questioned why he would want to leave Ibrox for a team staring down relegation.
Gerrard would ultimately leave Rangers for Villa a month later, and was backed by his new owners in the January transfer window. Former Liverpool team-mate Phillipe Coutinho arrived on an initial loan deal from Barcelona, with reports suggesting Villa beat Newcastle to the signing of Lucas Digne.
Howe's transformation of Newcastle was not achieved overnight, and was inevitably bolstered by a January spend close to £100 million. Picking out the signing of Chris Wood from relegation rivals Burnley, pundit Robbie Savage claimed the Magpies needed the 'big-name' pull of a manager such as Gerrard.
He told the Mirror in January: "Newcastle signed Chris Wood, while Aston Villa were bagging Coutinho and Digne. As Gerrard is proving at Villa, he has clout, he has contacts and big-name players want to work for him. Let me put it this way: If Gerrard had been manager of Newcastle, and he was offering exactly the same money for Coutinho and Digne as Aston Villa, I would have expected those players to sign for Gerrard.
"As for Gerrard, who I expect to finish in the top half with Villa this season, I will make one last observation. I suspect he would have taken more than six points from his first eight league games at Newcastle. And he wouldn't have tolerated being knocked out of the FA Cup at home by Cambridge."
The fortunes for both Gerrard and Howe have contrasted sharply since that point. Newcastle have been rewarded for avoiding 'big-name' signings, and currently occupy a top-six spot after comfortably surviving last term.
Gerrard was backed again in the summer with the arrivals of Diego Carlos and Leander Dendoncker, with a permanent deal also agreed for Coutinho. However, the midweek defeat at Craven Cottage proved to be the final straw.
Gerrard insisted he was a 'fighter' and would 'never quit' in his post-match interview, but seemingly minutes later the decision was taken out of his hands. Mauricio Pochettino is currently the bookmakers' favourite to take charge at Villa Park.
It is unclear whether Newcastle held a strong interest in Gerrard, with Howe ultimately landing the role after Unai Emery withdrew from the process. However, the subsequent year suggests it is the Magpies who did well to 'swerve' the potential appointment of the Liverpool legend.
READ NEXT
- 'There's an aura about us' - Callum Wilson explains Newcastle confidence after 'positive process'
- Dan Burn argument, Amadou Onana storm and simple truth on Miguel Almiron form
- Eddie Howe's dressing room message to Newcastle United players will unnerve Premier League rivals
- Frank Lampard gives Newcastle United huge compliment as Eddie Howe passes top six test
- Miguel Almiron 'feeling very good' and hails Eddie Howe for Newcastle United confidence
