STEVEN GERRARD EMERGES AS TOP CANDIDATE TO REPLACE EMBATTLED MANAGER SCOTT PARKER

Burnley prepares for the Championship. Is Steven Gerrard the right manager to lead a promotion push? We break down the latest news.

Steven Gerrard emerges as top candidate to replace embattled manager Scott Parker
Burnley officially relegated, signalling an immediate need for managerial stability - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Steven Gerrard’s name is making the rounds as a possible replacement if Burnley decides to let go of Scott Parker.

Journalist Alan Nixon says the Liverpool icon is one of the options the club is looking at, especially after Burnley’s drop from the Premier League. Gerrard, 45, has been out of a job since he parted ways with Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia back in January 2025. He’s eager to get back on the touchline and, by all accounts, he’d grab the Burnley job if it came his way.

He’s got experience under his belt from managing Rangers and Aston Villa, with mixed results.

Right now, Burnley isn’t saying anything about the rumours.

The club’s board is still weighing Parker’s future after a tough season at the top, and for Burnley, it’s their third straight relegation from the Premier League. They’ve bounced back before, but there’s real pressure now to get it right and shoot for promotion again.

Gerrard isn’t the only name out there. Craig Bellamy, who previously worked alongside Vincent Kompany at Burnley, is also being mentioned. The 46-year-old was in the mix the last time Burnley was looking for a manager, but took the Wales job instead, while Parker filled the vacancy.

Bellamy hasn’t exactly shut the door on a move, but after Wales lost their World Cup play-off against Bosnia, he made it clear he’s pretty passionate about his role. When asked about speculation, Celtic has also been linked with him. He said, “I really enjoy this. We'll talk more after [the Northern Ireland friendly] because my mind is just focused on that right now. But yeah, it’s the best role in the world.”

He doubled down, too: “This is the best. Nothing will ever compare to this job, so why would I want to wish it away?”

FULHAM TABLE €30M PACKAGE FOR BRAZILIAN MIDFIELDER DANILO TO SEAL SUMMER TRANSFER

Behind the race for Danilo. We look at why Fulham are targeting the in-form Brazilian midfielder for a PL return.

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Fulham lead the race for Danilo as Zenit and Palmeiras push for a deal - Courtesy Picture

Fulham are right in the mix for Danilo now, with the midfielder’s name suddenly buzzing again around the Premier League.

At 24, Danilo turned things around at Botafogo after leaving Nottingham Forest, and he’s on fire lately. He looks like one of the best central midfielders in Brazil right now; his form’s making people take notice, both at home and abroad.

In 2026, Danilo scored 10 goals and picked up 3 assists in 23 games across all competitions. He’s not just padding his stats either; in the league, he has 7 goals in 10 matches. That’s a huge return for a central midfielder. He’s finding the net every 3.14 shots and averages over two shots a game.

Danilo isn’t just about goals, though. He completes about 45 passes a match, with nearly 87% accuracy, and he’s setting up chances too – almost two key passes per game.

So, it’s no surprise that Brazil have him locked in for the next World Cup squad. His profile and transfer value just keep climbing, and now there’s real movement in the market.

Fulham are showing intent with a concrete offer.

According to Globo Esporte, Fulham are ready to pay around €30 million (£26m) for Danilo. They’ve been here before, but this time they’re serious. The offer breaks down as €22m guaranteed and another €8m in bonuses matching Zenit’s proposal. Palmeiras want him as well, but pulling off a domestic transfer looks a lot more complicated.

That kind of money puts Fulham in a great spot, especially since Botafogo’s finances are shaky. The club really needs a big sale this summer, and Danilo’s value is peaking.

Unrest behind the scenes at Botafogo

The timing here isn’t accidental. Danilo’s 2026 surge has made him a leader in the dressing room, especially while Botafogo struggles with financial problems and ownership drama.

Folks inside the club see him as their most valuable asset. Selling him could solve a lot of problems. Earlier this year, things got tense; Danilo’s side even threatened to end his contract over unpaid image rights. And while that got sorted, it highlighted just how unstable things are.

Plus, there was the failed deal to send Danilo back to Nottingham Forest in January, scuppered when legal action stopped John Textor from making transfers unilaterally. Now Textor’s out, and the club has to take its big debts seriously.

Fulham have an open window.

All this makes a summer move feel right. Danilo wanted to stick with Botafogo until after the World Cup, but it’s clear now he’s ready; his stock’s never been higher, and top clubs are circling.

From Fulham’s side, they see a midfielder at his best, already experienced in England, playing well, and eager to come back.

And compared to his stint at Forest, this time things look a lot more promising for everyone involved.

So Fulham are lining everything up. Now, they just have to pull the trigger.

INSIDE CHELSEA’S DUGOUT SEARCH: CONTACT MADE WITH ANDONI IRAOLA’S REPRESENTATIVES FOR NEW ROLE

Chelsea’s hunt for stability: Iraola eyed for head coach, plus news on Nicolas Jackson’s future at Stamford Bridge this summer.

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Chelsea shortlist updated as Andoni Iraola, Xabi Alonso, and Marco Silva emerge - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Andoni Iraola is one of several names Chelsea is considering as their next head coach this summer.

Rosenior. Last week, Chelsea let Rosenior go after just under four months in charge, even though he had more than five years left on his contract.

With seven losses from eight games, Chelsea decided to move on. They've put Calum McFarlane in charge for now, just until the end of the season. In the meantime, the club’s sporting directors are hunting for a new permanent boss, someone who can lead the club’s long-term plans.

Iraola, currently at Bournemouth, is one of the early candidates. He’ll be leaving his role at the Vitality Stadium when the season ends. Marco Silva from Fulham, who’s out of contract soon as well, has made Chelsea’s shortlist too, and free agent Xabi Alonso is also in the mix. A few more unnamed names are being considered as well.

No one knows exactly who’ll be standing in the Stamford Bridge dugout next season. But Iraola’s in with a real shot. If he does get the job, that could be good news for Nicolas Jackson, who’s set to return from his loan soon.

Jackson went to Bayern Munich on loan last summer. The deal said Bayern had to buy him for £56.2 million (plus a £14.3 million loan fee), but only if he played a set number of games, roughly 40, give or take. So far, Jackson’s made 29 appearances this season. Last week, Bayern’s Max Eberl confirmed they won’t be buying him permanently.

Apparently, it was clear from early on that Jackson wouldn’t stay in Munich, and people close to him said back in February that he was planning to weigh up his options this summer. He hasn’t ruled out coming back to Stamford Bridge.

If Iraola is Chelsea's head coach when Jackson returns, things might get interesting. Iraola’s made it clear he rates Jackson highly. Back when Iraola was managing Mirandes in Spain, Jackson was on loan there from Villarreal. Their paths never crossed directly, but Iraola kept an eye on him.

In fact, Bournemouth tried to sign Jackson in January 2023, six months before Iraola even joined the club. Jackson didn’t pass the medical, though, and ended up at Chelsea instead.

Talking to the Bournemouth Echo last summer, Iraola said, “I know him really well, because he played at Mirandés and I faced him with Villarreal. He’s a very, very good player. He’s quick; he threatens with his pace, and he can also turn, beat his man, and create chances. He’ll work well with the other strikers.”

Asked about Jackson at Mirandes, Iraola added, “I didn’t coach him, but he went there young and played in the second division.”

If Jackson does stay at Chelsea next season, he won’t have an open run at the no. 9 spot. Joao Pedro has scored 19 goals in his debut season, and it’s tough to see anyone displacing him right now.

Then there’s Liam Delap, who’s had a tough first year – just two goals after a £30m move from Ipswich Town. Some reports say he wants to stay and fight for his place, but it’s only going to get harder with Emanuel Emegha arriving this summer.

Emegha is currently at Strasbourg and will join Chelsea at the end of the season. That said, it’s still up in the air whether he’ll actually play in London next year or head out on loan somewhere else.

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