When Mourinho Came Calling: Gerrard's Three-Club Pursuit and the Loyalty That Shaped a Liverpool Legend
22 December 2025
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Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard opens up about the intense pull of Jose Mourinho, who relentlessly chased him for Chelsea during his first spell in London.
The 45-year-old admits he was “guilty” of entertaining the idea, yet clarifies the real reasons he never crossed the threshold to a different club.
What Gerrard says about Mourinho’s pursuit
Gerrard is celebrated as one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players, having captained the Reds to the 2005 Istanbul Champions League glory, reaching another final in 2007, and lifting two FA Cups plus three League Cups.
He left Liverpool in 2015 at 34 to join LA Galaxy and retired the following year, but the memory of the Chelsea interest lingered.
In a recent interview with TNT Sports analyst Ali Makoubast, Gerrard revisits his journey from player to coach and touches on Chelsea’s overtures and what drew him to consider a move.
He recalls the moment he spotted an unknown number on his phone, only to discover it was Mourinho on the line.
He explains he felt confident and capable at the time, and believes his form and consistency would have allowed him to compete with any opponent. There were discussions through his agent, but he sensed a different vibe from Liverpool and its manager at the time, Rafa Benítez.
Gerrard notes that his relationship with Benítez was technically solid, but more restrained in terms of player-management style, while Mourinho’s overtures hinted at interest from Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, or Chelsea—creating a sense of temptation.
Ultimately, Gerrard renewed with Liverpool and grew happier, while acknowledging that the strongest pull came from Mourinho’s persuasive power and an offer that would have significantly increased his earnings.
As he puts it, Mourinho—perhaps the world’s best coach at the time—played a high-level game of influence, yet Gerrard was focused on preserving his standing as a top midfielder in the Premier League and for England.
He reflects on whether a different path might have changed his story, but his loyalty to Liverpool and his teammates prevailed.
In the end, the tale underscores Mourinho’s pull and Gerrard’s choice to stay, shaping a Liverpool legend who remained true to his club.
Punchline: Mourinho called three times; Gerrard replied, “Nice try, boss, but my home address is non-transferable.”
Punchline 2: If loyalty were a transfer fee, Gerrard would have been priceless, and he knows it—so he stuck with the team that made him a star.
