GO FOR IT, STEVIE!

Rafa backs ‘boss’ Gerrard

NEWCASTLE United boss Rafa Benitez has told Steven Gerrard he should go into management and ignore the comfort zone of TV punditry.

Gerrard, 36, is leaving MLS side LA Galaxy next month and has been linked with an extension of his playing career at a string of clubs, including Newcastle.

But League One strugglers MK Dons have had contact with Gerrard over their vacant manager’s role, with talk that the Liverpool legend will decide tomorrow whether to accept the job.

Benitez, the former England skipper’s boss when he lifted the Champions League trophy for the Reds in 2005, has endorsed such a move.

Gerrard’s ex-Anfield teammates Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen have carved out TV roles with Sky and BT.

Media work is an option for Gerrard, but Benitez said: “If Stevie wants to be a manager, he should go for it. In fact, he has to do it.

“You see people on TV saying a manager should do this or do that, but it’s easy to say things. It’s much harder when you are actually the manager.

“It’s easy to take a decision in a TV studio. It’s different when you are the manager who actually makes the decision. If you don’t have the experience of being a manager, you don’t know how hard the job is.’’

Benitez added: “If Stevie wants to talk, I am here. He is a player with great experience anyway, but if he wanted my advice, that would be okay.

“I think the best way to do it is to work your way up. The more experience you can get coming up with solutions to problems, the better it will be for you.

“For me, the best way is to learn your job as you move to the top little by little. That makes you a better manager.”

Championship leaders Newcastle, unbeaten in ten games in league and cup, are targeting a ninth straight victory today as they visit a Leeds side in form themselves, having gone undefeated in five matches in all competitions.

Benitez praised Leeds counterpart Garry Monk, who was appointed in the summer.

The Magpies’ boss said: “I think Garry is now doing a great job because he’s been given some time to address the situation.

“It was the same for me when I was in Italy and Spain. You must win from the first week. It isn’t right, but you have to adapt to that.”