Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has branded Steven Gerrard’s decision to join Liverpool’s Youth Academy as “wonderful news for football” as the former England player now looks to make it big in the managerial circuit.
Reds legend Steven Gerrard has returned to Liverpool and insisted that the move back to his boyhood club is the stepping stone of his managerial career.
The Liverpool legend was elated after “completing the circle” – taking a full time role in the club’s academy, the same place where he began his footballing career as a nine-year-old kid.
Alex Inglethorpe, who is the academy boss confirmed that Gerrard will now be given an important role of developing young talents in the academy.
Gerrard will start his work at the academy in February and will simultaneously work or the FA, where he will help in developing young talents for the Three Lions side.
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And Gerrard cleared the air about his move by insisting that it was not due to the sentimental factor but because he believes that it is the best place where he can grow as a manager.
And the former Borussia Dortmund manager said: “We had a very, very good, very long talk together.”
“Probably everybody in this room knows better than I do that he’s a wonderful guy. “
“For me, it was only important to know what Steven wants, actually, and he said he wants to be a manager in the future. So, that’s cool.”
“I said from my side, everything I can do to help him on this way, to make him the best manager he can be, I’m ready for this and I would like to do it.”
Jurgen Klopp shared valuable tips with Gerrard on how to begin the new journey in his career and is confident that the Liverpool legend will succeed in a managerial career in the future due to his indomitable passion for the game.
Klopp added: “We spoke about different things, different options and now he’s at the Academy.”
“That’s great for us as a club, and I think for him it’s perfect because being a manager is a job you have to learn.”
“When a person like Steven Gerrard – the player he was, but more the person he is – is ready to make the steps, that’s wonderful news for football.”
“Combining the playing experience with all the things he’ll learn from now on, that’s a bright future and is brilliant.”
Gerrard, who is considered the best that the Reds have ever produced, made 710 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool, with 186 goals to his name and clinched 11 trophies during his 17-year journey with the club.
Gerrard led the Liverpool side and played a pivotal role in guiding his side to a crucial comeback victory in the Champions League 2005 final, where they were down by 3 goals to AC Milan at the break before pouncing back to draw level 3-3 in the second half and clinch a historic victory on penalties.
The Liverpool legend has two FA Cups, three League Cups, one UEFA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup to his name during his incredible journey with Liverpool.
Gerrard’s Path To Glory
Club:
FA Cup (2): 2001, 2006
League Cup (3): 2001, 2003, 2012
Community Shield (1): 2006
Champions League (1): 2005
UEFA Cup (1): 2001
UEFA Super Cup (1): 2001
Individual:
Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year (1): 2006
Professional Footballers’ Association young player of the year (1): 2001
PFA team of the year (8): 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014
Football Writers’ Association footballer of the year (1): 2009
Premier League player of the month (6): February 2001, March 2003, December 2004, April 2006, March 2009, March 2014
FA Cup final man of the match (1): 2006
Champions League final man of the match (1): 2005
UEFA club footballer of the year (1): 2005
Ballon d’Or Bronze Award: 2005
MBE: 2007