Jamie Carragher has backed Steven Gerrard’s decision to become a coach at Liverpool’s Academy as the retired midfielder returns to his boyhood club.
The former Reds captain is set to serve as a coach at the Merseyside outfit’s youth facility in Kirby as Gerrard looks to inspire the next generation of Liverpool super stars.
The 36-year-old confirmed his retirement from professional football last year after Gerrard’s contract with Major League Soccer outfit LA Galaxy expired after two seasons in the United States.
According to Liverpool’s website, Gerrard will have the opportunity to enhance his coaching skills and development under the stewardship of Alex Inglethorpe, while aiding the development of the club’s youngsters.
Writing in his Daily Mail column about Gerrard’s appointment, Carragher backed his former team-mate to be a success at the Anfield outfit and praised the ex-midfielder’s decision to dive into coaching.
“So my old captain has decided to take the next step in his career and will do that on the pitches where he began to make his name.
“I’m delighted Steven has taken on a coaching role at Liverpool’s academy. I know he had other options that he could have pursued after returning from Los Angeles but there was only one place where his heart lay.
“He hasn’t taken an emotional decision. Steven is determined to be as successful as a coach as he was a player and the only regret I have about this news is that it wasn’t announced two years ago after his last Liverpool game.”
Carragher added: “It would have been seamless for him to go from the first team back to the academy but the wait is over and it is fantastic for this generation of young players to have a role model to emulate.
“There is also something refreshing about seeing a member of my generation put his neck on the line rather than a lot of the others who’ve taken the easy option in the TV studio!”
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Gerrard won the Champions League, the Uefa Cup, two FA Cups and three League Cups during his Liverpool career.
The post Jamie Carragher Reacts to ex-captain’s appointment as Liverpool coach appeared first on The Sport Review.
