Liverpool hires Steven Gerrard as youth coach
Former captain Steven Gerrard will return to Liverpool next month as their academy coach. Gerrard himself is a pass out of the academy and was keen to get into coaching since he hung up his boots last year. He is also working towards getting his UEFA A coaching licence, required to manage in the Premier League.
Born on 30 May 1980 in Whiston, Merseyside, England, Steven Gerrard was spotted early at the age of 9 by Liverpool FC. He played in Liverpool youth squad and signed a professional contract with the Reds in 1997. Gerrard made his debut for the club's first team in 1998, in a Premier League match against Blackburn Rovers. He made 13 appearances that season.
In the 2000-01 season Steven Gerrard established himself as a prominent midfield player. It was also the season when he tasted first trophy successes. Liverpool won the treble - League Cup, FA Cup, and the UEFA Cup. For 2001, he was named PFA (Professional Footballers' Association) Young Player of the Year. Soon after he was made Liverpool's captain in 2003.
Gerrard's finest footballing moment came during the 2004-05 Champions League where he led Liverpool to a momentous victory over AC Milan in the final, at Istanbul. Liverpool won the final on penalties and Gerrard won UEFA Club Footballer of the Year. He will best be remembered for his 25-yard strike against Olympiacos that was vital for the Reds' progress to UCL Round of 16.
In what is now known as 'The Gerrard Final', Liverpool claimed the 2005-06 FA Cup beating West Ham on penalties, in the final. Gerrard scored twice in the final including an equalizer in stoppage-time to make it 3-3, which took the game into extra time. He was also a part of Liverpool team that made it to 2006-07 Champions League final, which they lost.
Premiere League trophy famously eluded Gerrard despite his side came very close to it by finishing second in the league table on three occasions. Similarly, he captained England at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, and Euro 2012, without winning any.
In Jan 2015, Steven Gerrard announced that he would leave Liverpool. His last appearance for Liverpool was at an away match against Stoke City, in May 2015. The same year he joined the MLS (Major League Soccer) Club LA Galaxy where he spent 18 months before retirement. There are speculations that post-retirement he would begin the next stage of his career as a coach.
The former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard called time on his 19-year long football career. Gerrard made 710 appearances for Liverpool and scored 186 goals during his 17-year stint with the club. He won 8 major trophies which includes the memorable Champions League victory in 2005. He is the 4th most capped player for England having represented his country on 114 occasions.
With Liverpool Gerrad won three League Cups (2001,2003,2012), two FA Cups (2001, 2006), one UEFA Cup (2001), one UEFA Super Cup (2001) and one Champions League (2005).
After his appointment as the Liverpool Academy coach, Steven Gerrard said, "It feels like completing the circle, returning to the place where it all began. However, this isn't a decision based on emotion - it's about what I can offer and contribute."
