Liverpool confirm Steven Gerrard will manage U18s next season
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Updated 27/04/2017 at 16:20 GMT
Liverpool have confirmed that Steven Gerrard will manage the U18s side next season.
Steven Gerrard
Image credit: Getty Images
Reports earlier in the month suggested the 36-year-old was primed to take the role, and Liverpool announced on Wednesday that Gerrard will replace Neil Critchley, who will take charge of the U23s.
Since retiring from football last year, Gerrard opted for more familiar ground when taking on the position of Academy coach at Liverpool in January, having turned down the chance to manage MK Dons in November.
"I have really enjoyed my time at the Academy so far and feel I have learnt a lot from the coaching staff here already. After speaking to Alex [Inglethorpe], we feel as though it is time for me to step up and manage my own team," Gerrard said.
"Neil has done a fantastic job with the U18s, so I hope I can continue where he left off, encouraging and nurturing players into the U23s and eventually the first-team setup."
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Liverpool's captain English midfielder Steven Gerrard holds the trophy as the rest of the Liverpool players celebrate winning the Champions League final against AC Milan at the Ataturk Olympic stadium in Istanbul
Image credit: Reuters
Gerrard, who will complete his UEFA A Licence this summer, is confident he can make the transition from successful player to successful coach and has clear ideas about what he wants from his players.
"My teams will be physical. I see that we need that more. It is important you channel it in the right way," he added.
"As a player I got many, many tackles wrong and went over the top a few times and I had to come out and apologise and that is not something I want to put into young players at all but you have to prepare them for the top and the top level is physical and demanding.
"It is not just about tackles and competing. I hate watching footballers and football when there is no physical side and they don't compete.
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Liverpool's Steven Gerrard is shown a red card by referee Martin Atkinson (Reuters)
Image credit: Eurosport
"There is a show-boating mentality throughout academies now and a lot of kids who play the game think they have to do 10 lollipops or Cruyff turns to stand out.
"We all love a bit of skill and talent but the other side of the game is huge, it is massive.
"Too many try to model themselves on players like (Cristiano) Ronaldo when you have to look at yourself and say, 'What are my strengths and how can I improve my weaknesses?'"
With additional reporting from PA Sport
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