adminLONDON – Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says he dreams of managing the club after revealing that he intends to go into coaching when he hangs up his boots. The 33-year-old central midfielder signed a new contract during the close season but he says he is beginning to contemplate his future and is thinking of turning his hand to management.
“The dream come true would be to manage Liverpool, when the Liverpool job becomes available,” Gerrard told TwentyFour 7 Football magazine.
“There are world-class managers there already, but we’ll have to wait and see. It would be the icing on the cake.
“When you get to a certain age – my age – you need to start thinking seriously about a life after football. I am planning on doing my badges and qualifications over the next 12 months.
“I definitely see myself as a manager rather than a coach, but that could change.”
Gerrard made his Liverpool debut in November 1998 and has since gone on to make over 600 appearances for the Merseyside giants, notably leading them to glory in the Champions League in 2005.
His long-term team-mate Jamie Carragher retired at the end of last season and now works as a pundit for Sky Sports television.
Gerrard says that Carragher had also expressed an interest in coaching, only to decide to pursue a career in the media.
“I remember speaking to Jamie Carragher and he really fancied it, but he’s decided media is what he wants to do,” Gerrard said.
“It’ll be strange seeing him on Sky but I’m really delighted he’s doing it. He can leave managing Liverpool to me!”
Gerrard insists that England are still capable of success at next year’s World Cup even if winning the tournament looks beyond them.
FA chairman Greg Dyke had played down England’s chance of success in Brazil, telling the BBC’s Today programme: “I don’t think anyone realistically thinks we are going to win the World Cup in Brazil. It doesn’t mean we can’t do well in Brazil as long as we qualify.”
And Gerrard agreed with that sentiment, admitting that although England won’t travel to South America among the favourites following a poor run of form in qualifying, they are still capable of performing to a higher standard than some are currently claiming.
“I don’t think we’re as weak as has been suggested,” he said. “Realistically, everyone in the room knows we’re not going to be one of the bookies’ favourites to win the World Cup.
“It doesn’t mean we can’t get there and have a successful tournament to make the country proud.”
Gerrard also pointed out that England cannot afford to look too far ahead and must keep the objective of actually qualifying for the competition as their primary focus ahead of the games against Moldova and Ukraine.
“We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. Our priority is to get there first,” Gerrard added.
“To qualify is the challenge. We want to qualify for the World Cup, go there and make the nation proud. We can do that without winning it.
“Playing at a World Cup is the pinnacle of any footballer’s dream as a kid – especially in Brazil.”
Roy Hodgson agreed with his captain’s statement but preferred to concentrate on reaching the tournament as opposed to looking further ahead.
“I don’t think many people will be racing out to place bets on England to win the World Cup. Our first job is to get there and work very hard with the young guys so that, when we get there, they can help the older guys. Then we have to do our best.
“Even if we qualify well and do very well between then and the tournament, I doubt very much we will be amongst the bookmakers’ favourites.”
Hodgson was also quick to defend Dyke’s comments, saying that the current crop of players have not been written off by the FA chairman.
“We don’t believe our chairman sees anything as a doomed mission,” Hodgson said. “He also said in his speech how much he supports the team and hopes we get to Brazil and do well. I prefer to go along that route. I don’t think he’s giving up on the team. That would be harsh on him and even harsher on the team. They don’t deserve that.”
Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge missed the game against Moldova through injury although it is hoped that Sturridge, who has returned to Liverpool for treatment, may be able to travel for the game in Ukraine on Tuesday.
Hodgson is now set to start Southampton striker Rickie Lambert in attack after a goal on his debut, in the friendly against Scotland.
Meanwhile, New Manchester City signing Martin Demichelis has been ruled out for around six weeks with a knee injury.
The 32-year-old defender, who has 37 Argentina caps, joined from Atletico Madrid in a £4,2m deal last Sunday.
While the centre-half does not need surgery, his loss adds to manager Manuel Pellegrini’s defensive problems.
Captain Vincent Kompany is expected to be sidelined for another three weeks with a groin injury, while Micah Richards has a hamstring strain.
Demichelis had only joined previous club Atletico Madrid in July after moving on a free transfer from Malaga.
He played under new City boss Pellegrini at Malaga and River Plate, helping the former to the quarter-finals of last season’s Champions League.
His injury means he will miss Premier League matches against Stoke City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Everton, plus Champions League ties against Viktoria Plzen and Bayern Munich.
Matija Nastasic, the 20-year-old Serb, and England international Joleon Lescott are the only recognised central defenders available.
Elsewhere, Wales manager Chris Coleman was unable to fly to Macedonia with the squad for yesterday’s World Cup qualifier after losing his passport.
Coleman missed the team flight from Cardiff on Thursday and was not present for a pre-match news conference or final training at the Philip II Arena.
He travelled to Skopje from Heathrow after obtaining a new passport.
The 43-year-old had earlier said he was close to signing a new contract to stay in charge of Wales beyond summer 2014.-Soccernet.
Online Reporter