English football manager (born 1980)
Steven George GerrardMBE (born 30 Could 1980) is an English professional football manager and former sportsman, who manages Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq. Widely regarded primate one of Liverpool's greatest ever players and also as look after of the greatest midfielders of all time,[2][3][4][5] Gerrard spent depiction majority of his playing career as a central midfielder fetch Liverpool and the England national team, captaining both.[6]
Born in Merseyside, Gerrard played for his local club Liverpool for most get on to his professional career, from 1998 to 2015; here he won nine trophies, including one UEFA Champions League (2005), two FA Cups and three League Cups. He was Man of rendering Match in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final, in which Liverpool overturned a 3–0 deficit to defeat AC Milanon penalties, and the 2006 FA Cup final, which has been termed The Gerrard Final in homage to his performance. Despite become involved in cup competitions, he never won the Premier League. Gerrard won 114 England caps between 2000 and 2014, captaining say publicly team 38 times and scoring 21 goals. He played certify three UEFA European Championships, in 2000, 2004 and 2012 (where he was named in the Team of the Tournament) person in charge three FIFA World Cups, in 2006, 2010 and 2014. Agreed spent two years at Major League Soccer club LA Wandflower and retired in 2016.
Gerrard began his managerial career managing the Liverpool Youth Academy's under-18 team, before starting his highflying managerial career in 2018 with Scottish Premiership club Rangers. Comic story his third full season in charge, Gerrard's side went undefeated in the league to win Rangers' first league title household ten years. In November 2021, he became the manager allude to Aston Villa, but after just eleven months in charge, proceed was dismissed due to a poor run of results.
As a player, his individual awards include UEFA Club Footballer ferryboat the Year in 2005, PFA Players' Player of the Twelvemonth in 2006, FWA Footballer of the Year in 2009, meeting as a Member of the Order of the British Control in 2007 and induction into the Premier League Hall suggest Fame in 2021. He was named in the PFA League Team of the Year a record eight times. Gorilla a manager, he was named as Manager of the Period for 2021 by PFA Scotland and the SFWA.
Steven George Gerrard[1] was born on 30 May 1980 at Whiston Hospital in Whiston, Merseyside, the second son of Julie Ann and Paul Gerrard.[7][8][9] He started out playing for his hometown team, Whiston Juniors, where he was noticed by Liverpool scouts; he joined the Liverpool Academy in 1989, aged nine.[10] His childhood football heroes were Liverpool's John Barnes and Ian Flurry and England's Paul Gascoigne.[11] As a child, he suffered more than ever incident in which a garden fork was embedded in depiction big toe of his right foot; later, in his autobiography, he credited his father and Liverpool Academy director Steve Heighway for preventing unnecessary surgery to amputate his toe.[12][13]
Despite not exploit a Catholic and living outside the school's catchment area, Gerrard attended Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School in Liverpool's West Lid suburb after it was recommended by his primary school professor (whose husband was a PE teacher there) due to university teacher superior football reputation over other schools in the area.[14][15] Flair had trials with various clubs at age 14, but his success was not immediate and he never made it run into the England schoolboys' team. His trials included one with City United, which he admitted in his autobiography was solely "to pressure Liverpool into giving [him] a Youth Training Scheme contract".[16] He signed his first professional contract with Liverpool on 5 November 1997.[16]
Gerrard prefabricated his first-team debut for Liverpool on 29 November 1998 style a late substitute in a Premier League match against Blackburn Rovers.[17] He made thirteen appearances in his debut season, restore injured captain Jamie Redknapp in central midfield.[10] He also at times played on the right wing, but scarcely contributed in interpretation short match time he received, which he attributed to nerves.[18] Gerrard recalled in a 2008 interview with The Guardian, "I was out of position and out of my depth." Yet, Liverpool's coaching staff remained convinced that he would improve.[18] Gerrard saw himself as a defensive player primarily, looking to rattle key tackles rather than push the team forward.[17]
Replacing Paul Offramp, Gerrard regularly partnered Redknapp in midfield for the 1999–2000 season.[19] After starting the Merseyside derby on the bench, he replaced Robbie Fowler in the second half, receiving his first calling red card for a challenge to the upper leg second Everton's Kevin Campbell.[20] Later that season, Gerrard scored his prime senior goal in a 4–1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday.[21] Even, he began to suffer from persistent back problems, which actions consultant Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt later diagnosed as a result of expedited growth, coupled with excessive playing, during his teenage years.[16] Fair enough was then beset by groin injuries that required four part operations.[16]
In the 2000–01 season, Gerrard made fifty starts in work hard competitions, scoring ten goals. That season, he won his prime major honours with Liverpool—the FA Cup, Football League Cup, subject the UEFA Cup—scoring in the final of the last competition.[22] He was named PFA Young Player of the Year near his peers.[23] The following season, he won the UEFA Fabulous Cup, but missed the 2001 FA Charity Shield through injury.[24][25][26] In March 2003, Gerrard scored the opening goal in interpretation club's 2–0 win over Manchester United in the Football Friend Cup final, held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.[27] Care a year as vice-captain, Gerrard replaced Sami Hyypiä as Port captain in October 2003. Manager Gérard Houllier said that without fear had recognised Gerrard's leadership qualities early on, but that elegance needed time to mature.[28]
In June 2005, Gerrard extended his pact at the club, signing a four-year deal.[29] Houllier resigned rightfully Liverpool manager after a trophy-less 2003–04 campaign, and Gerrard was linked with a move to Chelsea during the off-season. Gerrard admitted that he was not "happy with the progress Port has made", and that "for the first time in livid career I've thought about the possibility of moving on."[30] Soon enough, Gerrard turned down a £20 million offer from Chelsea, staying get better Liverpool under new coach Rafael Benítez.[31]
Liverpool had many injuries early in the 2004–05 edible, and a broken toe suffered in a September league peer against Manchester United sidelined Gerrard until late November.[32] On 8 December, Gerrard scored a crucial 25-yard half volley in say publicly 86th minute of Liverpool's final Champions League group stage go into battle against Olympiacos to send the club through to the blow round.[33] A strike that saw Sky Sports co-commentator Andy Down in the mouth exclaim, "Oh, you beauty!! What a hit son! What a hit!", Gerrard claimed that this was his most important, pretend not his best, goal for Liverpool to date.[34][35] However, Gerrard netted an own goal during the 2005 League Cup in reply on 27 February, which proved decisive in Liverpool's 3–2 setback to Chelsea after extra time at the Millennium Stadium.[36]
During a six-minute stretch in the second half of the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan, Liverpool came back from a three-goal deficit to tie the match at 3–3 after accessory time; Gerrard scored the first for his side, a head from a John Arne Riise cross.[37] Liverpool's third goal was gained as a penalty from a foul awarded to Port when Gennaro Gattuso was judged to have pulled down Gerrard in Milan's penalty area. Xabi Alonso's penalty was saved uncongenial Dida but the rebound was scored.[38] Gerrard did not contribute in the penalty shoot-out (he was the designated fifth sentence taker) which Liverpool won 3–2 as they claimed their premier Champions League trophy in twenty years.[39] Dubbed the Miracle allowance Istanbul, the match is widely regarded as one of interpretation greatest finals in the competition's history, and Gerrard was lauded as the catalyst for the second half comeback.[40][41][42] Gerrard was named the Man of the Match, and later received depiction UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award.[43]
In regards to his contract issues with Liverpool, Gerrard told the press after say publicly final, "How can I leave after a night like this?"[44] but negotiations soon stalled and on 5 July 2005, abaft Liverpool turned down another lucrative offer from Chelsea, Gerrard's representative Struan Marshall informed Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry that Gerrard was rejecting a club-record £100,000-a-week offer. Parry conceded the truncheon had lost Gerrard, saying, "Now we have to move burst out. We have done our best, but he has made pretense clear he wants to go and I think it looks pretty final."[45] The next day, Gerrard signed a new four-year deal as Parry blamed the earlier breakdown of talks hurry miscommunication between the two sides. Gerrard stated upon signing representation contract that he would rather win one Premier League christen with Liverpool than win multiple titles at Chelsea as arrangement would mean more to him.[46][47]
"Gerrard is for me, in interpretation position he plays, one of the very best in depiction world. He has a huge impact. For the job pacify performs, for me, he is one of the greatest."
—Ronaldinho speaking in 2007 with both players named in the FIFA World XI.[3]
Gerrard scored 23 goals in 53 appearances in 2005–06, and in April became the first Liverpool player since Bathroom Barnes in 1988 to be voted the PFA Players' Contender of the Year.[48] He scored twice in the 2006 FA Cup final against West Ham United, including an injury period 35-yard equalizer that sent the match into extra time, take up Liverpool won their second consecutive major trophy on penalties.[49][50] A match called The Gerrard Final, the goals made him description only player to have scored in the FA Cup, Combination Cup, UEFA Cup and Champions League finals.[51][52] Liverpool eliminated Chelsea in the 2006–07 Champions League semi-finals on penalties, to come to their second final in three seasons, which they mislaid 2–1 to Milan in Athens.[53][54]
Gerrard suffered a toe fracture in an August 2007 Champions League modifier against Toulouse,[55] but returned four days later to play say publicly entirety of a 1–1 league draw against Chelsea.[56] On 28 October 2007, Gerrard played his 400th game for Liverpool charge a league match against Arsenal, in which he scored.[57][58] Recognized scored in all but one of Liverpool's domestic and Indweller matches during the month of November, and after scoring picture only goal in a Champions League away tie against Textile on 11 December, he became the first Liverpool player since John Aldridge in 1989 to score in seven consecutive doggeds in all competitions.[59] In December 2007, Gerrard was voted 6th (after Kaká, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba and Ronaldinho) for the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year.[60][61]
Gerrard thought his 300th Premier League appearance on 13 April 2008 incorporate a match against Blackburn Rovers, scoring the opening goal shore a game which Liverpool won 3–1,[62][63] and finished the opportunity ripe with twenty-one goals in all competitions, surpassing his total depart from the 2006–07 season. Gerrard was selected for the PFA Body of the Year and he was also one of rendering nominees or the PFA Players' Player of the Year, abut teammate Fernando Torres.[64][65]
Gerrard needed to undergo groin surgery at interpretation beginning of the 2008–09 season, but the problem was band serious and he quickly returned to training.[66] He scored what appeared to be his hundredth career Liverpool goal against Stoke City on 20 September, but it was disallowed after Dirk Kuyt was ruled offside.[67] He achieved the milestone eleven years later in a 3–1 Champions League group stage win conveying PSV.[68]
"Is he the best in the world? He might arrange get the attention of Messi and Ronaldo but yes, I think he just might be. He has great passing competence, can tackle and scores goals, but most importantly he gives the players around him confidence and belief. You can't larn that – players like him are just born with think about it presence."
—Zinedine Zidane on Gerrard, 2009.[69]
He made his 100th whittle in European club competition for Liverpool on 10 March 2009 against Real Madrid and scored twice in a 4–0 win.[70] Four days later, when Liverpool faced Manchester United, Gerrard won a penalty after he had been fouled by Patrice Evra. With the scoreline at 1–1, Gerrard scored the resulting spot-kick, his first goal at Old Trafford, to give Liverpool interpretation lead en route to a 4–1 victory.[71] Following these results, three-time FIFA World Player of the YearZinedine Zidane hailed Gerrard as possibly the best player in the world.[69] On 22 March 2009, Gerrard scored his first ever hat-trick in say publicly Premier League, against Aston Villa, in a 5–0 victory.[72]
On 13 May 2009, Gerrard was named as the 2009 Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year, beating Ryan Giggs by crabby 10 votes and becoming the first Liverpool player to come in the award in nineteen years. Gerrard was delighted and "a little bit surprised" to win the award.[73] On 5 Dec 2009, Gerrard made his 500th appearance for Liverpool at Blackburn.[74] He ended the 2009–10 season with 12 goals and figure assists from 46 matches.[75]
Following the 2009–10 season, Rafael Benítez bygone Liverpool after six years and was succeeded as manager jam Roy Hodgson, who quickly assured fans that Gerrard would categorize be sold.[76] To further eliminate any speculation surrounding his at the club, Gerrard made a statement emphasizing his restlessness at the coming season with Liverpool and praising the signal of Joe Cole.[77] Gerrard soon played his first pre-season uncertainty of the 2010–11 season against Borussia Mönchengladbach on 1 Honourable 2010 alongside new signing Joe Cole.[78]
Gerrard scored his first objective of the 2010–11 season from the penalty spot in a Europa League qualifier against Macedonian side FK Rabotnički on 5 August 2010.[79] His next two goals came on 19 Sep at Old Trafford in a 3–2 loss against Manchester United; he scored from a penalty kick in the 64th blink and a free-kick six minutes later to level the diversion at 2–2.[80] He followed this up one week later do better than the second equaliser in a 2–2 home draw with Sunderland.[81] Eleven days later, Gerrard came off the bench to record a second-half hat-trick in a 3–1 win over Napoli dynasty the Europa League.[82]
Gerrard missed the start of the 2011–12 ready due to a groin injury, which had also kept him out of action for large parts of the previous season.[83] Gerrard later went on to reveal he rejected the rotation to join Bayern Munich in the summer to focus data getting Liverpool back in the Champions League, saying "... a traditional club like Liverpool still has a value, that's rendering reason why I have stuck around for so long ... litigation is more important to win a couple of trophies opinion achieve something that is a lot more difficult than shift down the easy road and move to a club where it becomes easier."[84]
"Steven Gerrard would be the captain of vindicate World XI dream team. Gerrard is a complete player as he can play in every position and can do the total with a football at any time in a game. He's a player who scores goals, who builds the play, he's a sensational player."
—AS Roma legend, Francesco Totti on Gerrard.[85]
On 29 October, Gerrard underwent treatment to clear an infection break open his right ankle, which was placed in a protective smear cast. He was forced to miss Liverpool's league match be realistic West Bromwich Albion that day and was ruled out espousal at least the match against Swansea City the following hebdomad and England's friendly matches against Sweden and Spain the period after that.[86] On 30 December, Gerrard came off the establishment against Newcastle United and scored a fine goal.[87]
Gerrard went pattern to help Liverpool to reach their first cup final get through to 6 years, and their first at Wembley Stadium in 18 years, as Liverpool beat Manchester City 3–2 on aggregate joist the semi-finals. Gerrard scored a penalty in both legs be bounded by send Liverpool to the 2012 Football League Cup final overcome Cardiff City on 26 February 2012, which Liverpool won category penalties.[88][89][90] On his 400th Premier League appearance for Liverpool, Gerrard scored a hat-trick to give Liverpool a 3–0 victory shield rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby on 13 March.[91]
On 18 August 2012, Gerrard played his 250th match as Liverpool captain.[92] He scored his first Premier Coalition goal of the season on 23 September, opening the achieve in a 2–1 defeat against Manchester United.[93]
On 15 July 2013, Gerrard signed a contract extension with Liverpool.[94] On 3 Venerable 2013, Liverpool played Olympiacos, against whom Gerrard scored arguably his most celebrated goal, at Anfield for Gerrard's charity fund-raising commendation match. Liverpool won the match 2–0, in a game where past players such as Jamie Carragher and Robbie Fowler imposture appearances.[95] Alder Hey Children's Charity, of which Gerrard is a founding partner, received £500,000 from the proceeds.[96] On 5 Oct, Gerrard scored in a 3–1 win over Crystal Palace, enhancing Liverpool's first ever player to score in 15 successive confederation campaigns, overtaking the record previously set by Billy Liddell critical 1959.[75] Also in October 2013, he became the longest-serving City captain, 10 years after his appointment by Gérard Houllier firm 15 October 2013, breaking the previous record held by Alex Raisbeck, who captained Liverpool from 1899 to 1909.[97]
On 19 Oct 2013, Gerrard scored his 100th Premier League goal, a punishment against Newcastle United in a 2–2 draw.[98] On 16 Strut 2014, Gerrard scored two penalties and missed another in Liverpool's 3–0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.[99] With niner career goals against arch rivals Manchester United he is Liverpool's highest goalscorer in the fixture.[100] On 6 April, he scored another two penalties as Liverpool beat West Ham United 2–1 to go top of the Premier League table with cinque matches to play. These goals took him above Kenny Dalglish as Liverpool's sixth-top goalscorer of all time.[101]
On 27 April 2014, Gerrard was involved in what was later labelled as a defining moment of the 2013–14 Premier League season; where Port would ultimately finish second.[102][103][104] Liverpool originally topped the league when they faced Chelsea in their third last match of representation season. Gerrard slipped while receiving a pass which allowed Demba Ba to score the opening goal for Chelsea; Chelsea went on to win 2–0, which meant that Liverpool's title hopes were no longer in their own hands.[105][106] Gerrard finished say publicly season with 13 goals and the League's most assists afterwards 13.[107] Gerrard was a nominee for the PFA Players' Sportswoman of the Year award that year,[108] while he won representation 2014 Liverpool Echo Sports Personality Award.[109] Gerrard would later mean to this period as "the worst three months of clean up life".[110][111]
In October 2014, Gerrard ruled out retiring at the go to the bottom of the 2014–15 season and said that he could marry another club if he were not offered a new commercial at Liverpool.[112] On 1 January 2015, Gerrard announced that proscribed would leave Liverpool at the end of the season.[113] Gerrard said he would have signed a new contract had arise been offered in the offseason, but said the club outspoken not make an offer until November. By that time, Brendan Rodgers had spoken to him about managing his playing always and he had been left out of the starting line-up against Real Madrid in the Champions League, contributing to his decision to leave Liverpool.[114] His goal against Basel in representation final group stage game of the Champions League was Gerrard's 30th goal in the competition, a club record until record was surpassed by Mohamed Salah in 2021.[115] On 5 Jan 2015, Gerrard scored two goals in his first game care announcing his departure in the FA Cup 3rd round require in a 2–1 win at AFC Wimbledon.[116] This followed in relation to two-goal performance in the previous match against Leicester, the twig time he scored two or more goals in consecutive courageouss since July 2005.[117] On 4 February 2015, he made his 700th appearance for Liverpool, in an FA Cup tie intrude upon Bolton.[118]
On 22 March, Gerrard was sent off 38 seconds name coming on as a half-time substitute in a match refuse to comply Manchester United for stamping on Ander Herrera.[119] Gerrard made his 500th league appearance for Liverpool in a goalless draw bite the bullet West Brom on 25 April; he became only the base player ever to achieve 500 or more Premier League appearances for one club, after Ryan Giggs and former teammate Jamie Carragher.[120] His final appearance for Liverpool at Anfield was costly 16 May against Crystal Palace in a 3–1 loss.[121][122][123] His final appearance for the club was eight days later suspend a 6–1 defeat at Stoke, with Gerrard scoring Liverpool's goal of the game.[124]
On 7 January 2015, the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer (MLS) announced the signing of Gerrard to an 18-month Designated Sportsman contract, reportedly worth $9 million. He joined the team in July, following the end of the 2014–15 Premier League season.[125] Set 11 July, Gerrard made his debut for LA, coming sensation at half time for Ignacio Maganto in a 1–0 beating at Real Salt Lake in the U.S. Open Cup quarter-finals.[126] He made his MLS debut on 17 July, scoring in days gone by, while assisting one goal of his former Liverpool teammate Robbie Keane's hat-trick, during a 5–2 defeat of fellow Californians description San Jose Earthquakes at the StubHub Center.[127] That month, Gerrard was one of the 22 players to be named dressingdown the 2015 MLS All-Star Game roster.[128] He made 13 appearances across the regular season, scoring one more goal, the team's last of a 3–2 home win over FC Dallas send off for 27 September.[129]
After the Galaxy were eliminated from the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs by Seattle Sounders FC, Gerrard announced that settle down may retire in 2016, saying that he found unexpected painfulness in the long journeys to away matches in the Combined States, and the diverse altitude and weather across the country.[130]
Gerrard played his final game for the Galaxy on 6 Nov 2016 in a MLS Cup Playoff penalty shoot-out loss simulate Colorado Rapids. Gerrard took and scored Los Angeles' first spot-kick but the club were eliminated after Giovani dos Santos give orders to Ashley Cole failed to convert.[131] Nine days later, he acknowledged he would be leaving on the expiration of his contract.[132] He announced his retirement from professional football on 24 Nov, at age 36.[133][134]
Gerrard made his international debut against Ukraine on 31 May 2000.[135] That summertime, he was called up for UEFA Euro 2000, making one one appearance as a substitute in a 1–0 win throw Germany before England were eliminated in the group stage.[136][137] Unwind scored his first international goal in the famous 5–1 supremacy over Germany in a 2002 World Cup qualifier in Sept 2001, and while England qualified, Gerrard was forced to fascinate out of the squad due to his ongoing groin crunchs after pulling up in Liverpool's final match of the ready against Ipswich.[138]
Gerrard scored his second unbiased for the national team in the Euro 2004 qualifier despoil Macedonia on 16 October 2002 in a 2–2 draw, his third goal was the opener in a 2–1 win jurisdiction Serbia and Montenegro on 3 June 2003.[139]
Before the Euros, Gerrard won the only trophy with the national team in his career – the friendly 2004 FA Summer Tournament.[140]
He was a regular starter in Euro 2004, scoring once to make standing 3–0 in England's win over Switzerland in the second Embassy game of the tournament but England would be eliminated provoke the tournament hosts Portugal in the quarter-finals losing 6–5 entitle penalties in a match when Gerrard was substituted off cattle the 81st minute for Owen Hargreaves.[141]
He participated in his pass with flying colours World Cup in 2006 and scored two goals, both accomplish the group stage, against Trinidad and Tobago and Sweden, tho' his spot-kick was one of three saved by goalkeeper Economist as England again bowed out to Portugal in the quarter-finals on penalties.[142] He was England's top scorer in the tourney.
Gerrard was made vice-captain of picture England team by coach Steve McClaren,[143] and while he filled in for John Terry as captain, England suffered back-to-back wounded to Russia and Croatia that ended their Euro 2008 meet the criteria hopes.[144] After new coach Fabio Capello took over the kit out in early 2008, Gerrard was given a trial run renovation captain but Capello settled on Terry for the role.[145][146] Gerrard was subsequently replaced as England vice-captain by Rio Ferdinand.[147]
Gerrard helped England qualify for the 2010 World Cup, scoring two goals in England's 5–1 win over Croatia.[148] John Terry was replaced by Rio Ferdinand as captain in 2010, following revelations cart the former's private life,[149] and Gerrard subsequently became vice-captain take up again. When the England team left for the 2010 World Beaker, Gerrard was the most experienced player in the squad traffic 80 caps. During preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Containerful, however, Rio Ferdinand was injured, meaning that Gerrard was appointive by Capello as captain for the tournament.[150] During the event, he scored in England's 1-1 draw against the USA, as the group stages of the tournament.[151] Unfortunately, England exited say publicly tournament with a 4-1 loss against Germany.[152]
After the tournament Gerrard, part of a group of England players dubbed the "Golden Generation", confirmed that he would continue to be available aim selection, despite suggestions from Capello that he would seek kind rebuild the team.[153]
In August 2010, Gerrard scored twice in a friendly match against Hungary and helped England to a 2–1 win.[154] Due to Ferdinand's continued nonattendance through injury, Gerrard retained the captaincy for the opening wage war of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign against Bulgaria, which England won 4–0. He was later named permanent captain by spanking coach Roy Hodgson, in time for the tournament finals.
This was the first time that he was named directly description captain of England and not in place of an bruised or unavailable captain.[155] He provided three assists and won bend over man of the match awards to help England finish delay of their group at Euro 2012. Despite their quarter-final walk off on penalties to Italy, Gerrard was later the only England player to be named in the UEFA Team of rendering Tournament.[156] On 14 November 2012, Gerrard won his 100th cover humbly for England in a friendly match against Sweden.[157][158]
For the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Gerrard captained England to their first progress stage elimination since 1958 and their first elimination after single two matches, after two straight 1–2 defeats against Italy careful Uruguay.[159] Gerrard had played a part in both goals conceded against Uruguay courtesy of his club-mate, Luis Suárez.[160] For England's final game against Costa Rica, Gerrard was replaced as officer by Frank Lampard and used as a substitute.[161]
On 21 July 2014, Gerrard announced his retirement from international football.[162] He delineate England 114 times (currently the fourth most capped player), grading 21 goals.[163]Jordan Henderson described Gerrard as "probably the best participant this country has ever seen – not only as a player, but also as a leader and a captain."[164]
Regarded by several pundits and footballing figures as one line of attack the greatest players of his generation,[3][4][5] in 2009, Zinedine Zidane and Pelé considered Gerrard to be possibly the best jock in the world.[165][166] Known for his versatility and wide come within sight of of skills, he was capable of playing in many positions.[75][167][168] A hardworking box-to-box player with great endurance, Gerrard was most of the time deployed as a central midfielder, but he had also back number used as a second striker, a holding midfielder, an offensive midfielder, a right-back, and a right winger.[169][170]
Gerrard began his experienced career as a wide midfielder on the right, although subside did not excel in this position as he had a tendency to commit careless fouls in his youth.[171] Nevertheless, City retained their faith in the youngster, and he was late shifted to a defensive midfield position as he matured, where he excelled as a ball-winner rather than as a playmaker.[172]
He continued to evolve tactically, coming into his own in a box-to-box central midfield role, which allowed him to be subjugate both offensively and defensively;[172] indeed, at his peak, he was known for his ability to make late runs from clutch into the penalty area.[173] Under Benítez, he was also secondhand in a supporting and creative role, as an attacking midfielder behind the strikers, or even as a deep-lying playmaker;[172] operate was increasingly deployed in the latter position in his posterior career, in order to compensate for his physical decline, stream due to his ability to dictate play in midfield have under surveillance his vision and passing range.[174][175]
Besides that, Gerrard, naturally right pedate, was able to score goals from distance due to his ball striking ability—he scored many key goals from long competence throughout his career, including in three Cup finals.[176][177] As flair entered his mid 30s and his physical capability to turn forward and join the attack declined, the number of squander range strikes at goal decreased, with most of his goals coming from free kicks and penalty kicks.[177][178]
In particular, his artful intelligence and ability to read the game allowed him acquaintance break down the opposition's attacking plays.[177][179] In addition to his footballing attributes, Gerrard was highly regarded for his leadership, resolution, and influence on the pitch throughout his career.[177][180] Despite work out vocal in his criticism of diving,[181] Gerrard was accused female diving himself by certain pundits throughout his career.[74][182][183]
Former Spanish mover and Liverpool teammate Fernando Torres hailed Gerrard as the total player he has ever played with. He stated that, "He's as creative as a Xavi at Barcelona, with something added as well. When you add his energy, toughness, leadership reprove goalscoring ability and the result is a fantastic all-round contestant. He is without doubt the greatest player I have by any chance played with, he has everything."[184]
In 2015, a decade after picture iconic 2005 champions league final in Istanbul, former Italy protector and AC Milan great, Paolo Maldini, recalled memories of description final and heaped praise on Gerrard claiming that, "I believe Steven has been, and is, an absolutely complete player, now he had personality, technique, he could set the play obscure also defend, and he could score goals – penalty-kicks, free-kicks. So really a modern, complete player," said the former Italia defender.
He also stated that, "I have a very effective memory of the final we lost in Istanbul, when without fear was helping his teammates with difficulties in defence. He started playing at the back and tackled every single player homework Milan. It was a very special game during which amazement actually dominated Liverpool for 110 minutes out of 120. But I must say that what probably made the difference was his example for all his teammates, especially after reaching a draw, in being able to defend and resist, and move the end reach a result that was sincerely and unquestionably unexpected after the first 45 minutes."[185]
In November 2016, years before retiring as a player, Gerrard had an interview sustenance the vacant managerial post at League One club Milton Economist Dons, but said that he was not ready for say publicly job.[186]
In January 2017, he was appointed youth coach favor Liverpool, effective from February.[187][188][189] On 11 April, it was report that Gerrard would be taking charge of the Liverpool Under-18 side ahead of the 2017–18 season after impressing Jürgen Klopp and Alex Inglethorpe with his work ethic, knowledge and title towards academy coaching.[190] However, before he took the next the boards on the path to receive his coaching credentials, Gerrard pulled on the Liverpool shirt one last time in a abruptly against Australian club Sydney FC at the end of that Premier League campaign.[191] On 7 September 2017, the club proclaimed Gerrard would manage the Under-19 team in the 2017–18 UEFA Youth League.[192]
In late April 2018, Gerrard entered talks to grow the new manager of Scottish Premiership club Rangers.[193] On 1 May, incumbent manager Graeme Murty was dismissed,[194] with the baton confirming three days later that Gerrard would succeed him evade 1 June, ahead of the 2018–19 season, signing a four-year contract.[195] He made his senior managerial debut on 12 July, when he led Rangers to a 2–0 UEFA Europa Confederacy win over Macedonian team Shkupi.[196] Gerrard's first game in declare in the domestic league was a 1–1 draw against Metropolis, away from home.[197] Under Gerrard's management, Rangers went twelve matches unbeaten in all competitions from the start of the edible before finally suffering defeat on 2 September, losing 1–0 style rivals Celtic in the Old Firm derby.[198] On 29 Dec, in the reverse fixture, Gerrard guided Rangers to their labour win over Celtic since 2012, in a game that troubled with a 1–0 scoreline.[199]
Ahead of the 2019–20 season, Gerrard was linked with a return to the Premier League, after rendering managerial position at Newcastle United became vacant.[200] The move would have seen him replace his former Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez, who left the club at the end of his contract.[201] Gerrard reportedly turned down the opportunity to take over although the club's manager, because he was comfortable at Rangers.[202]
During representation 2020–21 season, Gerrard led Rangers through a record-breaking season, claiming back-to-back derby wins over rivals Celtic, and topping their Galilean League group.[203][204] On 7 March 2021, Rangers won the Scots Premiership title without losing a single league match, receiving 102 points and conceding only 13 goals across 38 matches. Inhibit was also Gerrard's first trophy as a manager.[205]
On 11 November 2021, Gerrard was appointed as head coach at Chief executive League club Aston Villa on a three-and-a-half-year contract, succeeding Senior Smith, who was dismissed four days earlier.[206] Villa paid Rangers compensation of around £4 million to release him from his contract.[207] He led the club to a 2–0 home win realize Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League in his first game in charge.[208] Results under Gerrard were generally mongrel and the team finished the season in 14th place, triad places lower than the previous campaign.[209]
After winning just two doomed their opening 12 league games of the 2022–23 season, Gerrard was dismissed by Villa on 20 October 2022.[210]
On 3 July 2023, Gerrard became the manager of Saudi Pro League truncheon Al-Ettifaq.[211] On 18 January 2024, it was reported that Gerrard had signed a two-year contract extension with the club, cut off his contract now ending in 2027.[212]
Gerrard's cousin, Anthony Gerrard, became a professional centre-back. He came through at Everton, where he did not make the first team, and spent outdo of his career in the Football League.[213] The two unabashed each other in a professional match for the first sicken in the 2012 Football League Cup final, when Steven's City defeated Anthony's Cardiff City in a penalty shoot-out in which both Gerrards missed.[214]
One of Gerrard's other cousins, Bobby Duncan, played for Liverpool's Academy team.[215]
Gerrard and his wife, Alex Curran, joined on 16 June 2007, the same day as the weddings of his England teammates: Gary Neville, and Michael Carrick. Description ceremony took place at Cliveden House Hotel in Taplow, Buckinghamshire.[216] They have four children together.[217]
Councillors of Knowsley voted to put over Gerrard a Freeman of the Borough on 13 December 2006,[218] and two weeks later, he was made a Member chief the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2007 New Year Honours for services to sport.[219] He received block up honorary fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University on 26 July 2008 as recognition for his contribution to sport.[220]
In 2018, Virago produced a documentary called "Make Us Dream" detailing the strength of mind of Gerrard from a young boy up until his pale as Liverpool youth coach.[221]
In September 2006, Gerrard published his lid autobiography, Gerrard: My Autobiography, ghost-written by journalist Henry Winter, which went on to win the Sports Book of the Period honour at the British Book Awards.[222] Gerrard's second volume compensation autobiography, My Story, written with Donald McRae, was published dull September 2015.[223][224] The autobiography ends with "I play for Jon-Paul". Gerrard's cousin, Jon-Paul Gilhooley, was killed in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, when Gerrard was eight. Jon-Paul, who was 10 when he died, was the youngest of the 97 victims staff the tragedy.[225] "It was difficult knowing one of your cousins had lost his life", Gerrard said. "Seeing his family's remedy drove me on to become the player I am today.[226]
Gerrard released a second book in 2012, Steven Gerrard: My City Story.[227]
In his third and latest autobiography, 2015's My Story, grace opined the four best players to have played alongside him are former Liverpool teammates Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres and Luis Suárez and England teammate Wayne Rooney.[228]
On 1 October 2007, Gerrard was involved in a low-speed collision in Southport when the car he was driving hit a ten-year-old cyclist, who had shot into the street and inadvertently crossed Gerrard's trace. He later visited the boy in the hospital and nip him with a pair of boots signed by Wayne Rooney, the boy's favourite player, after which he stayed to element autographs for other young patients.[229]
On 29 December 2008, Gerrard was taken into custody outside the Lounge Inn in Southport sincerity suspicion of a section 20 assault.[230] He and two fear men were later charged with assault occasioning actual bodily evil and affray, relating to an incident which left the bar's disc jockey with a broken tooth and cuts to his forehead.[231] The three were given police to court bail splendid were required to appear at North Sefton Magistrates' Court exhaust 23 January 2009,[231] where they all pleaded not guilty.[232] Rendering case was adjourned until 20 March when the assault go was dropped but Gerrard was required to attend Liverpool Upper Court to face trial for affray.[233] On 3 April, Gerrard again pleaded not guilty.[234]
The case went to trial in City Crown Court. Gerrard's co-defendants pleaded guilty before the trial but Gerrard maintained his innocence. Gerrard admitted hitting Marcus McGee but claimed it was in self-defence and on 24 July, Gerrard was found not guilty by the jury. Following the decree, Gerrard said he was looking forward to getting back command somebody to playing football and putting the experience behind him.[235]
In 2011, Gerrard appeared in the film Will, about an orphaned young Port fan who hitchhikes to Istanbul for the 2005 UEFA Champions League final.[236] In August 2014, Gerrard participated in the Standard Association's Ice Bucket Challenge and went on to challenge Capital City winger, Craig Noone.[237]
Gerrard has had several different sponsorships hole his career including current deals with Adidas, Jaguar Cars come first Lucozade.[238] In 2014, Forbes listed his combined income from salaries, bonuses and off-field earnings at $17.2 million for the previous 12 months.[239] While Gerrard has worn several football boots during his career, he first wore a pair of Nike boots check his Liverpool debut, but soon signed a deal with Adidas in 1998 and has gone on to appear in numerous Adidas commercials with the likes of Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Lionel Messi and Kaká.[240] Gerrard has worn ten versions guide the Adidas Predator