Stevie would like to manage

By Mighty Reds
November 8 2005

After Steven Gerrards unhappy summer he seems to have cleared his head completely and looks happier than he’s looked for a few seasons.

So much so that he hopes his future, at some point after his career is over, will still be with Liverpool FC. He also talks about his enjoyment and respect for Rafa Benitez and his team.

He said:

"I'm always thinking about what I'll do after football. I know what the manager said in the summer but even before that it's always been my idea to stay involved with this football club for as long as I can.

"I've been here since I was eight years of age and it would be wonderful to think I could still be here after hanging up my boots. Whether that'd be in a managerial or coaching capacity I'm not sure.

"Of course, I'm still only 25 and the end of my playing career is still a long way off but the future is something that is constantly on my mind. Whatever happens I hope it is something linked Liverpool."

Of Rafa Stevie said

"I learn things from the manager and coaching staff at Melwood every day and if I did ever become a boss then they'd influence me greatly, as would all the other fantastic manager's and coaches I have worked under. My ideas and tactics would be based on theirs," he says.

Gerrard has been impressed with the coaching techniques of Benitez and explains that the Spaniard has helped put the fun back into training at Melwood.

"As part of our warm-up one day in training recently we did a bit of shadow boxing. It was the manager's idea and it was just good to do something different.

"He must have got out of bed that morning, felt like Mohammed Ali and decided to get us all doing it. He ended up getting into a toy fight with Darren Potter though and came out the loser so I don't think he'll be doing that again!

"Seriously though, the training sessions are much more enjoyable these days. But Rafael Benitez is very serious and once the serious training starts there is no laughing or joking around. He's very keen on tactics and pays great attention to the smallest detail in preparation for each game."

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