Ahead of the 2019–20 season, Gerrard became linked with a return to the Premier League, after the managerial position at Newcastle United became vacant. The move would have seen him replace his former Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez, who left the club at the end of his contract. Gerrard reportedly turned down the opportunity to take over as the club's manager, due to his comfortability at Rangers. Gerrard's former teammate at Liverpool, Jerzy Dudek, subsequently backed Gerrard to succeed Jürgen Klopp at Anfield in the future.