Gabby Agbonlahor lambasted Simon Jordan for his comments live on talkSPORT about Steven Gerrard – but got a savage reply.
The Liverpool legend looks set to make the move to Saudi Arabia to become the new Al Ettifaq manager.
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That is despite the fact he said live on television that he is not taking the role just two weeks ago. Nevertheless, fresh talks were opened and Gerrard has been persuaded and could be in the hotseat as early as the end of the week.
But it drew criticism from talkSPORT host Jordan, who called out the former Aston Villa boss for taking the money rather than trying to grow as a coach.
Jordan had said live on air as talkSPORT broke the news: “If you want to make a football decision that is going to take you on a journey that will make you a very successful manager and you back yourself, then you don’t need to go to Dubai or the Middle East or wherever he’s [Gerrard] going.
“In this instance, this is not a football decision, he’s not going to advance as a coach, he’s not going to enhance his reputation amongst those eyes that might look at him and go, ‘oh look at what you did in the Saudi league.’
“They’re not going to suggest that a Premier League job is going to come available as a result of that, so it’s a financial decision.
“So let’s characterise it for what it is. If we genuinely believe that the nature of going to Saudi is going to enhance a reputation that gives cause for people in the UK to go, ‘I tell you what, he’s done really well over in that Saudi league, I must entrust him with a job in the Premier League.’
“I don’t think it will. It’s not a football decision, it’s a financial decision, so it’s out of sight, out of mind.
“The bottom line is, once you’re out of the loop in football, you’re out of the loop.
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However, fellow talkSPORT host and former Villa star Agbonlahor has hit out at Jordan and branded him a hypocrite.
He tweeted at the ex-Crystal Palace owner: “You would get a ferry to Saudi if you got offered silly money to work on the radio over there! So please stop it mate.”
Many appear to have sided with Jordan over the issue, claiming that Gerrard should have gone somewhere to learn his trade.
One fan said: “Gabs I admire the constant wind up but he’s right.
“If he had any ambition of being respected as a top manager he’d swerve this job and earn his stripes here. He’s followed the cash and his reputation will go with it.”
Another wrote: “He’s right though, if Gerrard was serious about his managerial career hed swerve Saudi and join a championship club or something similar.”
And even Jordan himself hit back, with venom, tweeting Agbonlahor: “I would get a ferry to anywhere if it meant not having to clap eyes again on your gormless mug.”
Agbonlahor then responded: “I don’t appreciate being spoken to like that let’s have a chat tomorrow at work [muscle emoji].”
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