The Reds skipper is starting to turn his attentions to a career away from the pitch after starting his coaching badges and is open to either managerial or punditry opportunities

By Ash Rose

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has revealed his plans for a career in management when he eventually hangs up his boots.

The Liverpool captain scored the opener on Tuesday night, helping the Reds defeat Everton and win the Merseyside derby 4-0 to move four points clear of their traditional rivals.

And Gerrard, who has 653 career appearances for the Anfield club, is already eyeing a move into management as he nears retirement.

The 33-year-old said: “I’ve started my coaching badges recently, a couple of months ago and I’m going through the necessary steps to becoming a manager but no decision has really been made.

“I’d be interested in being a manager or even a number two, but I think you have to wait and see if you’re good enough, and what job offers you get.

“I’ve obviously got huge experience and knowledge about the game because I’ve played at the top for so long. But that doesn’t automatically mean that I’ll be a good manager or number two, you’d have to wait and see.

“But I’ve always said it, if big job offers come my way then I’d have to make that call and see.”

Gerrard has worked with a number of esteemed managers – the likes of Rafa Benitez, Gerard Houllier, Fabio Capello and Sven-Goran Eriksson have all utilised the midfielder in their time with England and Liverpool – but it was the spell under Kenny Dalglish that Gerrard refers to affectionately.

“It was emotional to see Kenny back at the club,” he explained. “I remember getting that phone call from him in Dubai, and it was a great feeling to have him back.

“Listening to team-talks and doing training with ‘The King’ was different, as I grew up with my brother and father drilling it to me about Kenny Dalglish as a player. I am fortunate enough to have a relationship with him anyway, but to work with him as manager was very special. It was great to win a cup too, both for him and the club. It’s just a shame it didn’t last any longer.”

The prospect of joining former Red and good friend Jamie Carragher as a pundit is also an interesting proposition for Gerrard but he says it depends on the opportunities that come his way.

He added: “There’s a good chance of me stepping into that [punditry] role yeah, I do love the game and talking about football, so if I want to stay in the game punditry could be something for me.

“But it’s the same as management, you’d have to wait and see whether your good enough or not and if there would someone willing to give you a chance.”

Liverpool are chasing a return to Champions League football after finishing outside of the top four for four consecutive seasons, something Gerrard believes is more than attainable if the team keep up their form.

“You’ve got to be excited how open this Premier League has been so far,” he said. “There’s been many seasons’ that come Christmas and January we’ve been out of the title race and the top four places. So to be in the mix, with players in top form, we are very confident we can make those Champions League places if we stay consistent.”

You can read the full interview from Steven Gerrard in the 100th issue of KiCK! Magazine, out on Wednesday, and there’s more from Gerrard at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZLyESJXjrI