Steven Gerrard, former England National Captain, one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history, is now moving up the ranks in coaching.
Stevie G. had said he’d plan to get into coaching once his playing days were over, and he hinted at a future back at Liverpool. In January it was announced today that Gerrard would be the team’s youth coach, and he’d begin his new gig in February.
Today it was learned that Gerrard will significantly move up the ladder next season, as he becomes the club’s new U18 coach.
The 36-year-old has combined duties as a coach at the club’s Kirkby-based academy with studies for his coaching badges and appearances as a television pundit for BT Sport.
According to The Times, Gerrard’s application and work ethic since taking on the role have impressed Jürgen Klopp and academy director Alex Inglethorpe enough for him to be rewarded with a place in the dugout.
In terms of manager role models to emulate, Gerrard looks up to Pep Guardiola, the former leader of Bayern Munich, who now leads Manchester City.
“I love the game and I love the big managers and the big personalities. I love the strong teams and I’ve always read autobiographies and interesting books,” said Gerrard previously to the Daily Express.
“I was given the Pep Guardiola book as a present from a coach and was told that I would find it very interesting.”
“I’m only at the beginning of it but Pep Guardiola is a world-class manager and it looks as if he will soon be coming to the Premier League which is great for us.
“Since starting my coaching badges, you can see the reason why a lot of top players don’t make it as successful managers because it is a completely different role,” he added.
Steven Gerrard definitely has good taste when it comes to picking a coaching career role model. Stevie G. is indeed shooting for the moon.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Sound Cloud, LinkedIn and YouTube