Steven Gerrard would loved to have stayed at Liverpool in a part-player and part-coach role
Former Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has admitted that he would have loved to remain at Anfield if an opportunity to join Brendan Rodger’s backroom was given to him, Guardian reports. Steven Gerrard joined LA Galaxy this summer after seventeen years of service to the Merseyside team.
Captain “Stevie G” as he is popularly known in the red parts of Merseyside, broke the sad news to Kopites all over the world when he announced the decision to leave his boyhood club at the end of 2014/15 season. The Anfield faithful could see this day coming, but nevertheless the news was heartbreaking for all Liverpool fans while English football lost one of the most loyal and greatest players in the division.
However, the 35-year-old has revealed that he would have accepted a bit-part role and would’ve been happy to remain at Anfield if he was included in Brendan’s coaching staff. This could have been ideal both for Liverpool and Gerrard as assistant Colin Pascoe was sacked over the summer while Mike Marsh a part of Liverpool's first-team coaching staff was not offered a new contract.
Sean O’Driscoll, on the other hand, solved the minor problem at the club by becoming Rodger’s number two and Gary McAllister took the initiative to fill in for Marsh’s absence.
“Ability-wise, I could still play, but physically I couldn’t play every game at my age,” Gerrard was quoted on The Guardian.
“I didn’t enjoy being sub last season. I didn’t enjoy not knowing if I would be in the XI or not.”
“I might be contradicting myself here but what would have kept me at Liverpool into this season was the chance of shadowing Brendan Rodgers and his staff as well as playing. Those ideas were only mentioned to me after I had announced I was leaving.”
“I don’t know if I am going to be good enough to be a manager, or a No1, No2, No3 or No4.”
“Liverpool replaced coaches Colin Pascoe and Mike Marsh in the summer, so they were looking for a new No2 or No3, or No4. I would have been tailor-made to fill one of these roles as well as making myself available as a squad player.”
“I could have been a good squad player, a good sub, as well as getting management experience that money can’t buy.”
Gerrard admits he misses English football
The former England midfielder is labelled “one club man” for his passion and commitment to the team. He has conquered English football for more than a decade with his skill, pace and power. Steven Gerrard does admit he longs to be back playing in the Premier League soon.
“Yeah, I do miss it. I miss everything about it,” he added.
“When I switch on the TV and see the stadiums, with 50, 60, 70,000 people – the aggression, the intensity, the tension; I am jealous. I miss the buildup, competing with better players, I miss being Steven Gerrard, Liverpool captain, and walking out in front of my people with that pressure and trying to get a result for them.
“As much I am enjoying it out here, with a fresh challenge, I’d like nothing better than being 25 again and with 10 years ahead of me in the Premier League, playing for Liverpool, but I’ve had my time.”
Steven Gerrard’s boyhood club are ready to take on Manchester United on Saturday in a Premier League derby. No doubt, Gerrard will be solely missed by the Kopites in the Old Trafford stands but he’ll be hoping his former teammates will make him proud by grabbing a win in the derby clash.