Former England captain Steven Gerrard has revealed that 2016 could be his last year as a player before he targets a coaching role.
The Liverpool legend is currently back on home soil after finishing his first season with LA Galaxy in the MLS.
And having kept his sharpness by joining in with training at the Anfield club under their new boss Jurgen Klopp, he’s starting to think about his next career step in the game.
Steven Gerrard left Liverpool for LA Galaxy in 2015, but has been back training with the Anfield club
"I’ve dreams and aspirations of going into coaching and management," Gerrard told the Daily Telegraph.
"But at the moment I’m nowhere near ready for management.
"When you start your coaching badges you realise pretty sharp it’s different. You’re in control of 25 men with different egos.
"Having trained for a couple of weeks, I’m excited, upbeat and positive.
"I was a big fan of Klopp before he came but having been around him and seeing how he is with individual players and tactics you can get excited.
"I would never divulge what his tactics are or anything. There’s discretion. I just couldn’t get enough of what he said in the 11-a-side games."
The 36-year-old will return to the USA for the new MLS campaign with the Galaxy in February, but is looking to make the most of his time in England before then by studying and speaking to coaches and managers at a variety of different clubs.
Gerrard has been a regular spectator at Anfield this winter
In November, he spoke to the England Under-19s squad in their dressing room ahead of a 5-1 win over Japan in Manchester as he looks to get a taste of life on the other side of the game and despite believing he could still play in the English top flight this season, he is firmly focused on learning more about coaching before hopefully moving onto the sidelines himself later this year.
"I am always going to be biased towards Liverpool and The FA and basically when I am back home I am going to carry on with my punditry work and try and move around clubs and gain more experience, going to watch managers and learning more," he revealed.
"I am basically available from November, December 2016. Everyone in the football world will know I am available and hopefully I will be 75 per cent into my coaching badges."
Gerrard also admits to taking inspiration from his former Three Lions team-mate Gary Neville, who is now in charge of Spanish outfit Valencia.
The England coach made the move to the La Liga club in December and Gerrard believes Neville was always the sort of character to make that switch.
Gerrard admits he has admiration for ex England team-mates Gary Neville following his steps into coaching
"I admire that Gary Neville has made the jump so soon, especially into a big club like Valencia," he added.
"Gary was one I thought would go into a role around a first team set-up when he finished playing.
"You have to tip your hat to him - he is being brave. It will be a great experience for him."
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