Steven so dedicated to job and project for kids ... that’s why he’s Kop manager of the future
IAN RUSH believes bookies will be paying out on Steven Gerrard becoming Liverpool manager... but not just yet.
Anfield’s record goalscorer has linked up with Kop midfield icon Gerrard in a dream partnership hoping to produce the next generation of young players.
They might be from different eras, but neither has forgotten his humble roots.
Along with business partner Irama, the Ian Rush Foundation has been buying up non-league football grounds to provide facilities for youngsters.
This will now also house the Steven Gerrard Academy.
Gerrard’s Academy offers the chance – through a two-year educational course – to either become players, coaches or to work in other areas of the game.
Rush said: “I was lucky enough to have Kenny Dalglish alongside me on the pitch, and now it’s great to join up with Steven Gerrard off it.
“The reason I have gone into this partnership wasn’t because of the way Steven played football, but because I know what he’s through the league season like off the pitch and what he undefeated. That’s something wants to do. special. When you’ve actually
“He is so dedicated and it’s the won the league, it’s sometimes same with this project.” difficult to maintain that
“The percentage of those who momentum. make it into the professional “Mentally, you’ve done what game is very low. you set off to do at the beginning
“What we want to do is to give of the season. So to carry that on youngsters a better chance.” and remain unbeaten will be
Rush has congratulated his yet another remarkable new partner for his Gerrard needs to achievement for work as Rangers be careful he does Steven Gerrard. boss ending Celtic’s not ‘do a Lampard’ “He won’t allow long dominance – and fail as legend their standards to and insisted there drop. is more to come. “Next season will be a big test
Rush added: “What he has because everyone will want to done at Rangers is absolutely beat Rangers. He knows all incredible. To stop Celtic about that. winning the Scottish “Steven has been used to that Premiership for the 10th time on as a player with Liverpool – he the run was special. will be up for it.”
“Rangers also had a good run Inevitably, Gerrard’s progress in Europe and there’s still a as a manager north of the border chance that they could go is being monitored closely, with the 44-year-old already installed as the favourite with the bookies to be Jurgen Klopp’s successor at his former club.
Rush said: “Bookies are never far wrong. Hopefully, Jurgen will be at Liverpool a long time to come because that means they are doing well.
“One day, I’m certain, Steven will manage Liverpool, but it’s not going to be tomorrow. I’m certain managing Liverpool is in his long-term thinking, but management is a learning curve and Stevie is still learning.
“Timing is everything – maybe it was a bit too soon, for instance, for Frank Lampard to leave Derby County for Chelsea.
“I actually thought he did OK, but he still lost his job. You don’t want the same thing to happen to Steven. You have to be careful pushing people too soon.”
Rush added: “Next season it’s about retaining the Scottish Premiership and doing well in Europe too.
“If Steven does that, then I think he won’t just be on Liverpool’s managerial wish-list.
“He will be on a few.”