Pre-Match Press Conference: Jurgen Klopp reveals it is possible for Steven Gerrard to be his Liverpool successor
Steven Gerrard and Jurgen Klopp are two of the biggest Liverpool legends in recent decades and if it was up to the local Reds fans, they wouldn’t hesitate to hand either of them the key to the city.
Klopp became Liverpool manager when Brendan Rodgers was sacked a couple of months into the 2015/16 season which meant that he never got to manage Gerrard. The Englishman departed the club a few months before that for MLS side LA Galaxy.
After his retirement from football, the now 41-year-old swiftly entered into management. He started off as a coach for the Liverpool U18 and U19 teams before getting his big break at Rangers in 2018 when he replaced incumbent manager Graeme Murty.
Things went uphill from there as he ended Gers’ wait for a league title, effectively putting an end to Celtic’s recent dominance in Scotland. A move to Aston Villa followed last year and naturally, some are wondering if Liverpool would be the next step forward for him from there.
Gerrard as next LFC manager?
And Klopp has now given his verdict on if the Liverpool legend can replace him as the club’s manager in the future. Speaking in his pre-match press conference before the match against Gerrard’s Villa tonight (h/t Mirror), Klopp claimed:
“My possible successor? Yes, of course, it’s possible. I have no idea, it’s not my decision to make. So I think it’s possible, that’s it.”
The German just signed an extension last month that sees him stay at the club until 2026. Gerrard, meanwhile, is apparently under contract at Villa until 2024 and has enjoyed a rather disappointing time at Villa Park since taking over.
If the managerial careers of Frank Lampard, Gary Neville, and Ryan Giggs are anything to go by, it isn’t always wise making someone your manager just because they were legendary players. But then again, there are examples of ex-players succeeding as managers at the club where they made their name as players.
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Zinedine Zidane, Antonio Conte, and Diego Simeone are just some examples. Hence, the Reds would know that it will be a gamble if Gerrard comes in straight after Klopp. Perhaps, it is best that the club waits and lets Gerrard earn his stripes before taking over the managerial helm at Anfield- because Klopp’s dynasty needs to be protected at all costs.
