Steven Gerrard needs to remain united with first-team coach Michael Beale if he decides to move on from Rangers, according to journalist Stuart Hodge.

Gerrard has been among the names linked with the Newcastle United job following Steve Bruce's departure by mutual consent earlier this week.

What's the latest news involving Gerrard and Beale?

Gerrard was handed the first senior managerial role of his career when he was appointed as Rangers' boss in the summer of 2018.

He went on to lead the Glasgow-based side to their first Scottish Premiership title in a decade last season, ending arch-rivals Celtic's chances of winning a 10th consecutive crown.

Key to that success was first-team coach Beale, who had played a leading role within Liverpool's academy before Gerrard persuaded him to move north of the border shortly after his unveiling at Ibrox.

Gerrard's current deal runs until 2024 but he has also been linked with quitting Rangers in favour of taking charge of the likes of Premier League side Everton in the past.

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What has Stuart Hodge said about the situation?

Hodge believes Beale plays a key role behind the scenes and Gerrard should ensure he is a member of his backroom staff wherever his managerial career takes him.

The journalist told GIVEMESPORT: "I think an undervalued aspect of it is how vital Michael Beale is to Steven Gerrard because he's the guy that does a lot of the work on the training ground, while Gerrard is the figurehead.

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"Gerrard's a bit more like an old-school manager than a modern head coach, in that regard, and I've got plenty of time for that.

"If that's the model that you want to have and you want to delegate, that's fine. But you quite often see it doesn't quite work as well when these partnerships break up.

"Wherever Gerrard goes, I think Michael Beale goes. I think it's vital that Michael Beale goes."

Could Beale and Gerrard go their separate ways?

Beale, 41, told the Transfer Ground Guru, via the Daily Record, that he has aspirations to move into a top job himself in the future.

He has also earned praise from Gerrard after the former Liverpool central midfielder claimed on the Robbie Fowler Podcast, via the Daily Record, that it would take 20 years to reach the coaching standards Beale has set.

However, it seems they have formed a formidable partnership as the Gers have lost less than 30 fixtures since the duo headed to Ibrox.