Steven Gerrard's path back into management is seemingly being blocked by the man he famously faced in two Champions League finals.
The former Liverpool and LA Galaxy midfielder has been out of the hot seat since being sacked by Aston Villa in November, less than a year after taking over the Premier League club. That had followed a three-and-a-half-year stint at Rangers, where the 42-year-old was widely credited for reviving the club's fortunes after leading them to the 2020/21 SPL title.
Gerrard has since been working as a TV pundit, and despite a host of top-flight jobs in England coming up since links to a new appointment have been scarce. To compound matters, he's seen his former Villa players enjoy a revival under Unai Emery, with the side now sixth in the table and challenging for European football.
But the ex-England captain is now in the frame for a role in Greece with Olympiacos. The club, who have won their national title a staggering 47 times, currently lie third in the Greek Super League, having sacked now West Brom boss Carlos Corberan.
However, according to Greece's sport-fm, Gerrard is not the standout choice for the Attica outfit. He is instead being provisionally lined up if a deal cannot be reached with Gennaro Gattuso.
The volatile Italian is also out of work after leaving struggling Valencia in January. As well as taking charge of his beloved AC Milan and Napoli in Serie A, Gattuso has previously worked in Greece with OFI Crete, an ill-fated six-month stint in 2014 that was plagued by the club's financial problems.
The 45-year-old reportedly wants time to mull over an offer from Olympiacos, with Gerrard leading a shortlist of potential candidates if Gattuso ultimately rejects a deal. But the irony of the two names in the frame won't be lost on fans of Liverpool or Milan, given their memorable on-field battles.
Back in 2005, Gattuso was in the XI that relinquished a 3-0 lead against The Reds in Istanbul. And he in part contributed to the collapse, fouling Gerrard for the penalty from which Xavi Alonso levelled matters at the second attempt.
Two years later though, the pair were opposite numbers again as Milan exacted revenge in the Champions League final in Athens, winning 2-1. It was a second European crown for Gattuso, who also prevailed with I Rossoneri in 2002/03.
