Guardiola would Pep up Premier League: Steven Gerrard

Published January 6, 2016
“Pep Guardiola is a world-class manager,” Gerrard told reporters. — AFP/File
“Pep Guardiola is a world-class manager,” Gerrard told reporters. — AFP/File

SYDNEY: Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard Wednesday said “world-class” Pep Guardiola would be a great addition to the Premier League after the much sought-after Bayern Munich boss said he wanted to coach in England.

Guardiola, who will turn 45 this month, said Tuesday that the reason he was leaving the German giants at the end of the season was because he wanted to coach in England.

“Pep Guardiola is a world-class manager,” Gerrard told reporters in Sydney ahead of a Liverpool Legends game on Thursday.

“It's looking like he is going to be coming to the Premier League which is great for us. “Gerrard, clearly a fan of the ex-Barcelona boss, is currently reading “Pep Confidential”, a book about Guardiola's first season at Bayern.

The LA Galaxy midfielder, 35, has his own ambitions in management and is working on his coaching qualifications prior to his expected retirement from playing this year.

He said he had a “positive conversation” with current Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and was keen to remain involved with his hometown club in any capacity.

Gerrard left the English Premier League side for the Los Angeles Galaxy last year, and has been training on Merseyside during the MLS close season.

“I've been told I've been welcomed back at the club which is great for me because I've been at Liverpool since I was eight years of age. I love the club,” he said.

“I certainly had a positive conversation with Jurgen Klopp and he made me feel very welcome when I train with the team.”

But Gerrard added that he was aware of the challenges of transiting from playing to coaching.

“I think you see the reason why a lot of top players don't make a successful manager because it's a completely different role,” Gerrard said.

“The exciting thing is no one knows how good I'll be we'll have to wait and see, but I'm certainly going to get as much experience and as much qualifications as I can under me belt and we'll see whether I'm good enough if one day I take the plunge.”

Opinion

Editorial

Desperate measures
27 Dec, 2024

Desperate measures

WHEN the state fails to listen to people’s grievances, citizens have a right to peacefully take to the streets to...
Economic outlook
27 Dec, 2024

Economic outlook

THE post-pandemic years, marked by extreme volatility in the global oil and commodity markets as well as slowing...
Cricket and visas
27 Dec, 2024

Cricket and visas

PAKISTAN has asserted that delay in the announcement of the schedule of next year’s Champions Trophy will not...
Afghan strikes
Updated 26 Dec, 2024

Afghan strikes

The military option has been employed by the govt apparently to signal its unhappiness over the state of affairs with Afghanistan.
Revamping tax policy
26 Dec, 2024

Revamping tax policy

THE tax bureaucracy appears to have convinced the government that it can boost revenues simply by taking harsher...
Betraying women voters
26 Dec, 2024

Betraying women voters

THE ECP’s recent pledge to eliminate the gender gap among voters falls flat in the face of troubling revelations...