There was a time not too many years ago where it looked like the stars were aligning perfectly for Steven Gerrard to become the eventual replacement to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
Of course, nobody expected the accelerated timeline of hte German's departure, but here we are. Yet, Gerrard is nowhere close to being in contention for the Liverpool managerial job as his hot start to his manager career is a thing of the past.
In Gerrard's third full season in charge of Rangers, he led them to an "invincible" season as they secured the 2020-21 Scottish league crown.
It was the 55th league success in the club's history and too date, remains the peak of Gerrard's managerial resume.
He would jump at the chance to take over a firmly established Premier League side in Aston Villa. As Liverpool fans watched from afar, it appeared to be the natural progression in his career as he cut his teeth managing a Premier League side.
However, it was not meant to be. Following a strong start to his tenure, things went off the rails and the Villa board made the move to cut ties with Gerrard after less than a year in charge.
It was an unforeseen blow to the assumed lineage of Liverpool managers. Klopp roared on at Anfield as Gerrard would take a controversial job managing Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq. His side have struggled for form in that league as well, but he still signed an extension.
Despite all of this turmoil and the meteoric rise of Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, former Gerrard teammate Dirk Kuyt still thinks he has an outside chance in the future of gracing the Liverpool touchline.
Speaking with The Echo, the Dutchman voiced some hope for a future return of Stevie.
"Obviously you see Stevie is now a little further from the job but he also has experience with Glasgow Rangers and then Aston Villa. He is now maybe in a place where people don't like him to be but he is still doing the job and getting experience and that is how you become a better manager in my opinion."
Hopefully Kuyt's optimism for Gerrard comes to fruition somewhere down the line but for now, it's all hands on deck for Xabi Alonso.