Steven Gerrard could suffer Aston Villa hammer blow as Charlton move tipped

Steven Gerrard could suffer a blow to his Aston Villa plans with Michael Beale, a key member of his coaching staff, reportedly a 'contender' for the Charlton Athletic manager job.

Beale, Villa's assistant head coach, followed Gerrard to the Second City from Rangers in November, where several of the coaching staff had helped guide the Ibrox side to the Scottish Premiership title in an unbeaten season last campaign. Gerrard has been vocal in his admiration of Beale , who he met during his time as a youth coach at Liverpool.

The 41-year-old began his coaching career at Chelsea, where he worked for a decade, before moving to Liverpool and having a brief spell as assistant manager at Sao Paulo. However, Beale has once again been linked with a move to Charlton, which would be his first job as a manager if he moves to London.

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Having spent time in the Addicks' academy before injury ended his playing career at a young age, Beale was previously in the running for the manager vacancy at Charlton in November- and the South London Press has reported that the coach has 'once again emerged as a contender' for the job.

It is reported that Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard is an 'admirer' of Beale with potential compensation owed to Villa also 'not likely to be an issue'. However, it is claimed that the former Rangers coach could be 'in the running' for Championship jobs this summer.

Charlton recently parted company with club legend Johnie Jackson after his side finished 13th in League One. Speaking in November, prior to appointing Jackson, Sandgaard praised Beale’s achievements and named him as a candidate for the manager role.

“He has a