Steven Gerrard to return to Liverpool as a full-time academy coach
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Published 20/01/2017 at 18:15 GMT
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard will start work as a full-time academy coach with his boyhood club from the start of February.
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Gerrard, who came through the academy and spent 17 years of his career at the club, has been earmarked as the perfect candidate to work with academy chief Alex Inglethorpe.
"It feels like completing the circle; returning to the place where professionally it all began," Gerrard said in a statement released by the club. "However, this isn't a decision based on emotion - it's about what I can offer and contribute to Liverpool.
I don't think I need to explain to people what this football club means to me, but when I knew coming back was a serious option I wanted to make sure it was a substantive role and a role in which I could really help the organisation.
"Meeting with Alex Inglethorpe, seeing the work they are currently doing and want to do in the future at Kirkby, it just felt right. The right option at the right time, for all parties involved.
"This gives me a great opportunity to learn and develop as a coach, while at the same time offering my knowledge, ideas and experience to the young players at an important period of their development."
Inglethorpe has a reputation as one of the best developers of talent in the game and believes that he has acquired the perfect colleague in the man who made 710 appearances for Liverpool during his playing days:
If I was to pick one individual who embodies the characteristics and values we are looking to instil into our organisation at Kirkby, it would be Steven Gerrard. For him to have been so enthusiastic about being part of what we are looking to do is simply great news for everyone connected to the club.
"I don't think it would surprise anyone to know that Steven has had a host of great options, in terms of what to do next in his career, including playing, management and coaching. But it's been evident from the first meeting with him that his heart and head belongs here.
"He has shown great humility in making it clear from the outset he wants a role where he can contribute to Liverpool; it's typical of him that his priority has been defining the role so it helps the club, ahead of himself.
"He has expressed a desire to learn from us and manage a young team. The benefits to us will be immense. This is a substantial role and one which makes the Academy and the club in general stronger and better."
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